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Types of Agents in AI

In AI, an agent is an entity that perceives its environment through sensors and acts upon it using actuators. AI agents are classified based on their complexity and decision-making capabilities.

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Types of Agents in AI includes:

  • Simple Reflexive Agents
  • Model-Based Reflexive Agents
  • Goal-Based Agents
  • Utility-Based Agents
  • Learning Agents

A simple reflex agent is a type of AI agent that makes decisions based on the current state of the environment and follows a set of predefined rules.

  • It does not maintain any memory of past actions or states.
  • It works well in fully observable environments but fails in dynamic or partially observable settings.

Example: A thermostat that turns on heating when the temperature drops below a set level.

A model-based reflex agent is a type of AI agent that maintains an internal model of the environment, allowing it to handle partially observable environments.

  • It remembers past states to make better decisions.
  • It updates its internal model based on new observations.

Example: A self-driving car keeps track of road conditions, lane positions, and nearby cars to make driving decisions.

A goal-based agent is a type of AI agent that considers future actions and chooses the best path to achieve a specific goal.

  • It does not act randomly but instead evaluates different possibilities before making a decision.
  • It requires planning and searching techniques.

Example: Google Maps determines the best route to a destination based on real-time traffic data.

A utility-based agent is a type of AI agent that takes actions based on a utility function, which quantifies how desirable a particular state is.

  • Unlike goal-based agents, which only focus on achieving the goal, utility-based agents aim for the best possible outcome.
  • It helps in decision-making under uncertainty by choosing actions that maximize overall benefit.

Example: A stock trading AI predicts future trends and selects investments that maximize profit while minimizing risk.

A learning agent is a type of AI agent that improves its performance over time by learning from past experiences.

  • It uses machine learning techniques to adapt and make better decisions.

It consists of four components:

  • Learning Element – Improves agent behavior.
  • Performance Element – Makes decisions.
  • Critic – Provides feedback on performance.
  • Problem Generator – Suggests new actions to explore.

Example: ChatGPT, which learns from user interactions to generate better responses.

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