AI Agents in 2025: Less Terminator More Wallace & Gromit
Why You're About to Learn a New AI Term - Bounded Agency
The Quick Take
Forget the sci-fi nightmares of AI overlords – the future of AI Agents is more 'Wallace & Gromit' than 'Terminator'. We're heading towards a world where AI assistants are clever, but not too clever for their own good.
Today I’m unpacking why enterprise IT leaders are pushing for AI with guardrails, not Skynet-style autonomy, and introduce you to a term you'll be hearing a lot more of: Bounded Agency.
The AI Agent Revolution: More Cheese, Less Apocalypse
Picture this: you're sat in your living room, feet up, watching Wallace & Gromit. Wallace, the eccentric inventor, dreams up wild contraptions while his loyal dog Gromit keeps things from going off the rails.
Now, imagine that's the future of AI in your business. Sounds a bit mad, doesn't it? But stick with me, because that's exactly where we're headed.
For years, we've been fed a diet of AI doom and gloom. Terminator-style scenarios where machines run amok, making decisions willy-nilly and learning from every interaction until they're smarter than us. It's a cracking storyline for Hollywood, but in the real world of enterprise IT? It's about as welcome as a slice of Wensleydale cheese in a vegan café.
The Great AI Misconception
Let's get one thing straight: the notion that AI Agents should have complete autonomy to make decisions, execute actions, and learn from every user interaction is a right load of nonsense. It's a panacea that sounds brilliant on paper but falls flat when you try to implement it in the real world.
Why? Well, for starters, most enterprise IT leaders would rather eat their own keyboards than unleash an AI system with unlimited power. It's not just about practicality; it's about security, regulation, and not wanting to explain to the board why the AI decided to give everyone a pay rise and order a fleet of company yachts.
Enter Bounded Agency: AI's New Leash on Life
This is where the concept of 'Bounded Agency' comes in. It's a fancy term for a simple idea: AI Agents that are clever, but not too clever for their own good. Think of it like Wallace's inventions – brilliant in theory, but always needing Gromit's steady paw to keep things on track.
In practical terms, Bounded Agency means creating AI systems that can think creatively within defined parameters. They're not running wild like Skynet, but they're not just following a rigid set of if-then statements either. They're somewhere in the middle – innovative enough to be useful, but constrained enough to be trustworthy.
The way I look at from my experience of building an Agentic framework is to make sure your Agents have job descriptions, something I wrote about here.
The Technical Nitty-Gritty
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Chris, this all sounds lovely, but how does it actually work?" Fair question, that. Let's get into the nuts and bolts.
Implementing Bounded Agency isn't about clipping our AI's wings; it's about giving it a flight plan. Here's how we do it:
Defined A Scope of Action. We start by clearly outlining what our AI can and can't do. It's like giving Wallace a very specific cheese-finding mission, rather than letting him loose in a dairy farm.
Guardrails and Checks. Next, we implement safeguards. These are the Gromit of our system – always there to pull the emergency brake when things go pear-shaped.
Contextual Learning. Instead of learning from every interaction willy-nilly, our AI only updates its knowledge in specific, controlled scenarios. It's like Wallace only remembering the cheese-related parts of his adventures.
Human-in-the-Loop. For critical decisions, we keep a human in the mix. It's like Gromit giving the nod before Wallace presses the big red button.
For the exact way I’ve implemented this myself, you can read all about it here.
The Business Impact: Less Faff, More Results
Now, you might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what's in it for me?" Well, let me tell you – it's not just about avoiding catastrophe (though that's a nice bonus). Bounded Agency brings some serious benefits to the table:
We get faster implementation because we're not trying to boil the ocean. This also means we can get these systems up and running quicker. It's like building a cracking contraption to make tea, rather than trying to automate the entire kitchen.
We can reduced risk with built-in safeguards. The chances of your AI going rogue are about as likely as Wallace turning down a piece of cheese. It means you can innovate without breaking out in a cold sweat every time the system makes a decision.
The trust we have is improved when your team knows the AI has limits. This means they're more likely to embrace it. It's the difference between trusting a well-trained dog and being asked to look after a temperamental tiger.
Scalability. As your comfort grows, you can gradually expand the AI's capabilities. It's like giving Wallace more complex inventions to work on, once you're sure he won't accidentally launch himself to the moon.
The Templonix Approach: Putting Theory into Practice
Now, I don't like to toot my own horn, but this is where our Templonix framework really shines. I've built Bounded Agency right into its core, creating a system that's clever enough to be useful, but constrained enough to be trustworthy.
For example, the document generation capabilities use AI to create complex reports and presentations. But instead of giving it free rein, it’s implemented via a system of checks and balances. The AI can suggest content and structure, but it always adheres to predefined templates and style guides. It's like having Wallace come up with brilliant ideas, but always running them by Gromit first.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI Agents
I think the landscape of AI is going to shift dramatically in 2025. The days of fearing AI are numbered. Instead, we're entering an era where AI becomes a trusted partner in business via Agents – clever, but not too clever for its own good.
The key to this future isn't unlimited AI power; it's Bounded Agency. It's about creating systems that can reason within defined parameters, innovate without going off the rails, and augment human capabilities without trying to replace them entirely.
What are the Key Takeaways?
Let's break down the crucial insights from our journey into the world of Bounded Agency:
✅ AI Agents Aren't Skynet. The future of AI in business isn't about unchecked autonomy. It's about creating systems that are smart, but operate within defined boundaries.
✅ Bounded Agency is the next big thing. This approach allows for innovation and efficiency while maintaining control and reducing risk. It's the sweet spot between rigid automation and uncontrolled AI.
✅ Implementation is Key. Success with Bounded Agency comes from careful implementation, including defined scopes of action, built-in guardrails, and human oversight for critical decisions.
✅ The Business Benefits are Real. From faster implementation to reduced risk and improved trust, Bounded Agency offers tangible advantages for enterprises looking to leverage AI.
If you're using AI Agents or planning to do so soon, I'd love to hear about what you're doing and any challenges you're running into.
Drop a comment below or reach out directly - I read every response.
Until next time,
Chris