Software agents
An agent could prepare a routine workflow, bring together information for a decision and ask for approval before taking a consequential action.
Intelligent Systems
From information to useful action.
Intelligent systems turn information into decisions and action. Our focus spans AI technologies, software agents, automation and machines that can operate with increasing independence.
The opportunity
Useful action, with clear limits.
The ability to act brings responsibility. A useful system needs a defined purpose, appropriate limits and a practical way for people to inspect its behaviour or take control.
We are interested in technologies and systems whose central purpose is intelligence, automation or autonomous action. The need, the operating conditions and the role of human judgement should shape what is built. AI can also support products and businesses across our other fields.
Our focus
Within this field.
Areas that guide where we look
for opportunities to build businesses.
AI technologies
Models, machine learning, development tools and evaluation systems.
Perception and understanding
Computer vision, language, speech and machine sensing.
Agents and automation
General-purpose agents, task planning and intelligent workflow automation.
Robotics
Robotic systems, manipulation and machine control.
Autonomous systems
Drones, autonomous machines and their operating systems.
Embedded intelligence
Intelligent devices, simulation and digital twins supporting machine behaviour.
Illustrative applications
How it could be used.
Examples of possible applications
of this field.
Conceptual illustration
From sensing to action.
One way to understand an intelligent system: observations inform a response, and the results can inform the next cycle. People define its purpose and how it is supervised.
Human oversight
People set limits, review decisions and can intervene.
Sense
Gather observations from data, people or the physical world.
Interpret
Identify patterns and understand the information in context.
Decide
Choose a response within the system’s purpose and limits.
Act
Carry out a task in software or through a physical machine.
Feedback Observations from the result can inform another cycle.
Robots and intelligent devices
A robot could perform repeatable tasks in a defined environment, with ways for people to monitor its work and intervene.
Drones and autonomous systems
A drone could gather observations across a site. Computing, communications and energy would shape where and how it could operate.
Enabling connected life
How the fields work together.
AI can support businesses across every focus area. Computing, communications and energy also determine how physical intelligent systems operate.