arXiv:2606.23991v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: What is an agent? What constitutes agency? With the rise of Large Language Model (LLM) systems marketed as ``coding agents'', ``AI co-scientists'', and other ``agentic" tools that promise to drive up productivity, and at the same time, ``existential" concerns such as AI escaping human control with destructive power under a speculative ``machine agency" against humans, it has become essential to clarify where automation ends and agency begins, both for building capable systems and for understanding whether and what to fear. Drawing on Descartes' g
The proliferation of LLM-based 'agents' and growing public concerns about AI control are driving a critical need to define 'agency' in AI systems.
Clarifying the definition of AI agency is crucial for responsible development of advanced AI systems and for accurately assessing potential risks and benefits.
This paper highlights the growing importance of conceptual clarity in AI development and policy, moving beyond marketing hype to foundational principles.
- · AI ethicists
- · AI safety researchers
- · Responsible AI developers
- · Legislators
- · Over-hyped 'agent' marketing
- · AI systems lacking clear agency definitions
Increased focus on defining and measuring AI agency in research and development.
Development of regulatory frameworks and industry standards based on refined understandings of AI agency.
Enhanced public trust (or justified caution) towards AI systems as the concept of agency becomes clearer.
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Read at arXiv cs.AI