One Tech Tip: How to get started with AI agents, and which are best for specific tasks

Agentic AI agents are increasingly moving beyond niche tech uses, and companies such as Meta, OpenAI and Anthropic are competing for consumers with tools that can act proactively on a user’s behalf—from shopping to managing to-do lists. The article notes that newcomers can feel overwhelmed by differences among offerings and the tradeoff between performance and privacy, since agents tend to work better with more personal data. It advises users not to rely on a single agent, but to build a “stack” so one system can generate work while another critiques it, citing consultants and lab founder Clara Gigling. It also describes how various products target different needs: Anthropic’s Claude Duet is pitched for professionals and small business owners, while Meta’s Muse focuses on personal tasks such as saving money, improving health, shopping, and relationships. Other agents mentioned include OpenAI’s Dots, xAI’s Grok Bot, and Spear Street Technology’s Instinct.