The Rise of AI agents — autonomous software systems that can perform tasks without human supervision — is fast becoming the biggest shift in AI since the launch and wide acceptance of ChatGPT.

According to MIT Technology Review, AI agents will be employed to automate up to 40% of repetitive workflows by 2030. This inadvertently means that many standardized roles will be managed by these agents as they require minimal effort to accomplish.

What AI Agents Can Do

Manage Calendars and Email

They act as full digital assistants rather than just simple schedulers. They can read, prioritize, and respond to emails based on context, urgency, and personal preferences. These agents automatically schedule meetings, resolve calendar conflicts, send follow-ups, and summarize long email threads, significantly reducing administrative workload.

Execute Online Research

Modern AI agents can independently conduct deep online research across thousands of sources in minutes. They compare data, verify credibility, extract insights, and present findings in structured reports. Whether researching markets, competitors, academic papers, or consumer trends, they dramatically outperform manual research in speed and accuracy.

Negotiating Prices Automatically

AI agents can now negotiate on behalf of users or businesses. By analyzing historical pricing, demand patterns, and seller behavior, they engage vendors, suppliers, or platforms to secure better deals. In e-commerce, logistics, advertising, and procurement, AI-driven negotiations often result in lower costs and the securing of improved contract terms.

Making Purchases or Bookings

With secure wallet integrations, AI agents can complete purchases and bookings autonomously. They compare prices, apply discounts, read reviews, and select optimal options before executing transactions. From booking flights and hotels to renewing subscriptions or ordering inventory, these agents handle end-to-end purchasing decisions efficiently.

Running Business Workflows End-to-End

AI agents now manage entire business processes without human intervention. They can onboard customers, process invoices, manage CRM updates, coordinate marketing campaigns, and even trigger supply chain actions. By connecting multiple tools and platforms, they create seamless, automated workflows that improve productivity and reduce operational costs.

Platforms like OpenAI’s Operator Agents, Google’s Gemini Agents, and AutoGPT 3.0 are leading the charge. We expect that by 2026, more platforms – big corporation-funded or those with more lean beginnings – will spring up.

Impact on Work

AI agents are predicted to replace thousands of digital assistant roles, as noted by Bloomberg and McKinsey.

Companies are already integrating agents into HR, marketing, and customer service.

Risks and Concerns

Autonomy brings challenges:

• Ethical dilemmas
• Security vulnerabilities
• “Runaway agents” executing unintended actions

The AI Safety Institute UK has warned about poor guardrails that may affect proper output and expected AI behavior.

Africa’s Position

AI agents could help African SMEs automate operations cheaply — leveling the global business field.