AI Agents in Action: Foundations for Evaluation and Governance

This white paper is designed for adopters of AI agents, including decision-makers and technical leaders, who are looking to integrate these systems into their organizational workflows. It addresses the current lack of guidance on the responsible design, testing, and oversight of AI agents. The paper outlines three main contributions: it details the technical foundations of AI agents, including their architecture and security considerations; it provides a functional classification that differentiates agents based on their roles and operational contexts; and it suggests a progressive governance approach that connects evaluation and safeguards to the agents' task scope. The report emphasizes the importance of aligning adoption with evaluation and governance practices to ensure successful deployment while maintaining trust and accountability. By mapping the evolving landscape of AI agents, the paper serves as a conceptual blueprint for organizations transitioning from experimentation to deployment, highlighting the need for careful and deliberate adoption to mitigate risks and enhance human capabilities.