Three years ago, ChatGPT burst onto the tech scene and popularized artificial intelligence (AI) globally. Since then, social media has been flooded with increasingly realistic and sophisticated AI-generated images and videos. ChatGPT, along with other assistants like Google's Gemini, Anthropic's Claude, and Microsoft's Copilot, has become a daily tool for millions, facilitating work tasks, information searches, and entertainment. During this period, generative AI—capable of creating original content from instructions or prompts—has seen remarkable advancements. Current models are more complex and accurate, though they still make mistakes, but less obviously. Additionally, they have evolved towards multimodality: they can now generate not only text but also images, videos, and audio, responding to instructions in various formats. The integration of AI has been so profound that even Google, the most used search engine for two decades, has incorporated AI-assisted searches. Now, instead of just showing links, it provides answers specifically generated for each query. Despite these advancements, the functionality of AI tools remains primarily passive: the user gives instructions, and the AI responds. However, this is about to change. By 2026, the arrival of so-called AI agents is expected, systems capable of executing tasks on behalf of the user. For example, they will not only recommend destinations or activities for a trip but will also be able to book accommodations and purchase tickets, interacting with other agents and managing transactions autonomously. This leap means that AI will not only answer questions but will also plan and execute actions, a change already beginning to be seen in the business realm with process automation. According to industry forecasts, these agents will soon reach personal devices. However, experts advise caution. AI agents could excessively influence vulnerable individuals and make decisions that do not always align with user preferences. Moreover, their impact on consumption will be significant: a simple instruction will suffice to acquire products seen on social media, further facilitating access to impulsive buying. A new stage in the relationship between technology and society is approaching. Source: elpais.com