Part 2/11:
At its core, the Agent Model is described as a self-referential information system—a mental architecture that encapsulates an AI's understanding of itself. Shapiro characterizes it simply: "I am this," such as "I am a human" versus "I am a table." This conceptualization extends to various aspects: an entity’s physical capabilities, memories, skills, and beliefs about itself formed through prior experiences.
In humans, this aligns partly with the notion of ego—the beliefs a person holds about themselves—though in AI, it's a more explicit and malleable construct. The agent model could include goals, operational needs, and value systems, enabling the AI to orient itself and operate autonomously with a sense of identity.