1 What is an AI agent?

 

This chapter covers

  • What an LLM agent is and when to use them
  • The components of an LLM agent
  • Building an agent from scratch

The emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs) in 2023 and the advancement of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology in 2024 brought significant changes to the field of artificial intelligence. Now, we stand at the center of yet another wave of innovation: the explosive interest in agents. An LLM agent is a system that uses a Large Language Model (LLM) as its reasoning engine to autonomously make decisions and execute actions in order to achieve specified objectives. In essence, the LLM functions as the agent’s "brain."

1.1 Understanding LLM Agents

1.1.1 What is an LLM?

1.1.2 What is an LLM Agent?

1.1.3 Various agency levels

1.1.4 Why should we learn about LLM Agents?

1.1.5 When should we use an Agent?

1.2 Building LLM agents from simple to complex

1.2.1 Building a basic agent

1.2.2 Building smarter agents

1.2.3 Multi-agent systems

1.2.4 Agent monitoring and evaluation

1.2.5 Prerequisites for reading this book

1.3 Summary