From SLMs to Superpowers? Decoding the Agentic AI Hype

The new buzzword in the AI hype machine is Agentic AI and CTO's and data professionals are right to be cautious!

The shift in terminology from "Small Language Models (SLMs)" to "Agentic AI" does seem like a bit of a marketing makeover. While there are some genuine advancements behind it, it's important to see through the hype. Here's a cut to the chase and breakdown of what's going on:

• What are SLMs? These are essentially more compact, focused versions of Large Language Models (LLMs). Think secret agents on more specific missions. They're designed to be more efficient and require less computing power, making them suitable for specific tasks.
• What's new about "Agentic AI"? It's about giving these SLMs more autonomy and ability to act. Think of it like this: instead of just answering questions, they can now perform actions, like summarizing a document, sending an email, or even controlling a robot. This is achieved by combining SLMs with other tools and technologies.

So why the rebranding?

• Highlighting new capabilities: "Agentic AI" emphasizes the shift towards more active and autonomous AI systems.
• Riding the AI hype wave: The term "AI" is a major buzzword right now, and top voices and marketeers are eager that companies capitalize on it.
• Differentiating from LLMs: By using a new term, companies can distinguish their offerings from the more general-purpose LLMs that are requiring ever more data and compute to hide their diminishing returns

So should we be excited or skeptical?

Both. There's definitely potential in agentic AI. Imagine having AI assistants that can automate tasks and make our lives easier. However, it's crucial to be aware of the limitations and potential risks and pointless use cases:

• Overpromising: The marketing hype inevitably exaggerates the current capabilities of agentic AI.
• Ethical concerns: Giving AI more autonomy raises questions about control, accountability, and potential unintended consequences.
• Security risks: Agentic AI systems could be vulnerable to hacking or misuse if not properly secured.

In conclusion:

Agentic AI is an exciting development with real potential, but it's important to approach it with a critical eye. Don't get swept up in the marketing hype. Instead, focus on understanding the actual capabilities and limitations of these systems, and be mindful of the ethical, privacy and security implications. And check out real AI product companies who meet these standards who are not about hype and VC money so can't afford to shout through the noise.