How Agents Work (Video Course)

Description

4+ Hours of Video Instruction

Your introduction to AI agents

In How Agents Work you learn the basics of AI agents, including the terminology, how they work, and when they should and should not be used. The course also delves into how to evaluate agents and analyze them for safety concerns.

Learn How To

• Explain terms and definitions related to AI agents
• Explain how agents work
• Identify agent use cases and when agents are not appropriate
• Evaluate agents and analyze safety concerns

Who Should Take This Course

• Anyone wanting to understand how AI agents work.

Course Requirements

• There are no specific prerequisites for the course.

Lesson Descriptions

Why Do We Use Agents?

In the first lesson Kate discusses what AI agents are and why we use them. She also discusses how they are different from normal chatbots and what they can do that chatbots cannot.

How Do Agents Work?

In the next lesson Kate dives into the details of how agents actually work. She begins by discussing the observe/think/act cycle, which is a foundational concept for autonomous AI agents. Next, she discusses what makes an agent, and then she finishes with the concept of model context protocol (MCP), a protocol that uses a client-server type of connection between AI applications (clients) and data sources (servers).

Examples of Agent Use Cases

In this lesson Kate walks you through some examples of agents in use, from an inbox triage assistant, to a multi-agent system, to a system with an agent and a human working together. She also discussed the types of tasks for which AI agents should not be used.

Safety and Evaluation

In the final lesson Kate covers common issues that crop up when using AI agents and the things that make it tricky to evaluate their performance. She also presents some cases of AI agents causing mayhem in the real world.

About Pearson Video Training

Pearson publishes expert-led video tutorials covering a wide selection of technology topics designed to teach you the skills you need to succeed. These professional and personal technology videos feature world-leading author instructors published by your trusted technology brands: Addison-Wesley, Cisco Press, Pearson IT Certification, Sams, and Que. Topics include: IT Certification, Network Security, Cisco Technology, Programming, Web Development, Mobile Development, and more. Learn more about Pearson Video training at http://www.informit.com/video.

Sample Content

Table of Contents

Why Do We Use Agents?

Why This Topic Is Important

Terms and Definitions

How Do Agents Work?

Observe/Think/Act

What Makes an Agent

Model Context Protocol

Examples of Agent Use Cases

Assistant

Multi-agent System

Agents as a Step in a Larger Pipeline

When Not to Use Agents

Safety and Evaluation

Common Issues

Evaluation

Safety Risks

Summary

Updates

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