Recently, AI products have begun labeling themselves as either “Agents” or “Agentic,” confusing many users about what exactly these terms mean.
Today, let’s clarify this distinction by looking at three popular products: Dia, Comet, and Manus. They’re good examples, though not definitive of all products within these categories.
Intuitive Understanding: Dia, Comet, and Manus
Let’s use simple analogies to illustrate their core differences:
- Dia is like an intelligent chat assistant on a webpage. You actively browse; it provides support when asked.
- Comet resembles a personal assistant, handling emails and summarizing web pages—but still following your instructions.
- Manus is like hiring an employee: assign a task, and it independently plans and delivers the final result.
Even simpler:
- Dia ≈ Calculator
- Comet ≈ Assistant
- Manus ≈ Employee
A calculator precisely aids your calculations; an assistant helps you handle tasks according to your guidance; an employee autonomously completes assignments.
Defining Agent vs. Agentic
To understand more deeply:
Agent (noun):
An AI entity capable of autonomous planning, decision-making, and task execution. Traits include:
- Actively understanding and breaking down tasks
- Independently using and coordinating tools
- Intelligent adaptation to unexpected scenarios
Agentic (adjective):
Describes capabilities or characteristics that reflect aspects of an Agent, like autonomy or intelligent assistance, but doesn’t fully function independently.
Put simply:
- Agent = Independent entity
- Agentic = Characteristic of an entity
Examples:
- Agent products: AutoGPT, BabyAGI, GPT-Engineer, which autonomously plan and execute tasks.
- Agentic tools: Notion AI, GitHub Copilot, Grammarly Go—human-driven, AI-enhanced aids without independent decision-making capabilities.
Product Comparison: Dia, Comet, and Manus
Comparing functionality:
Thus:
- Dia and Comet are closer to Agentic—displaying some autonomy but still reliant on user input.
- Manus aligns more clearly as an Agent—autonomous and independent.
Judging a True Agent
“Autonomy” is the key criterion, categorized into three levels:
- L1 (Reactive): Answers queries passively.
- L2 (Tool Usage): Executes simple or standard tasks via external tools.
- L3 (Intelligent Adaptation): Independently adjusts and acts when faced with unexpected complexities.
Example: buying a flight ticket:
- L1: Gives flight details.
- L2: Opens booking site, fills basic details.
- L3: Plans alternative routes when direct flights aren’t available, finalizing bookings autonomously.
Most products currently operate between L1 and L2; few attempt L3 autonomy.
Coexistence, Evolution, or Fusion?
Agent and Agentic represent two directions:
- Agent emphasizes complete autonomy—handling complex, self-directed tasks.
- Agentic tools enhance human capabilities—streamlining and assisting routine tasks.
They’re not opposites, just suitable for different users and contexts. Future AI might blur these lines:
- Agentic tools may evolve into lightweight Agents.
- Full-fledged Agents may modularize to safely assist general users.
Technological progress rarely happens all at once. We might not fully delegate to Agents yet, but Agentic tools are already indispensable in daily productivity.
At Maybe, what matters isn’t what we call these technologies, but whether they solve real problems.
Which type of AI resonates most with you?
About Maybe
Maybe is an AI-powered platform that lets you turn any problem into a personalized AI assistant, without the need for any coding or workflow configuration. Create intelligent helpers in minutes through simple conversation. If you can describe your problem, you can build your solution.
Website: https://maybe.ai/
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