Part 5/10:
Building more advanced models is expensive and yields diminishing returns. Therefore, companies like OpenAI are turning to autonomous AI agents to generate the next significant leap in AI utility. These agents are expected to unlock new value by automating complex workflows, reducing manual effort, and freeing humans to focus on high-value activities.
OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has explicitly acknowledged this paradigm shift, stating during a Reddit AMA that "the real breakthrough will come from agents." Similarly, chief product officer Kevin Wild predicts that "2025 will be the year agent-based systems go mainstream." The vision is to see AI not just as a tool for generating content but as a proactive collaborator capable of managing tasks independently.