AI systems that are always on in the background and take action when necessary due to an event. For example, in a power grid, ambient AI can reroute power immediately after a hurricane hits.
Ambient AI and Agentic AI
Because both trigger actions, ambient AI and agentic AI are similar. The only distinguishing difference is that ambient AI is "constantly" waiting and aware. But then, agentic AI can also wait for something to happen. Just to add confusion, "ambient agent" refers to ambient AI.
A comparison has been made that ambient AI is internal, whereas agents are external. For example, an ambient AI might suggest a videoconference whereas an AI agent would book it.
These terms will overlap for the foreseeable future. AI is the "new kid on the block" and terminology is not cast in concrete (and may never be).
George Gilder - Another View
Tech evangelist George Gilder says ambient AI is a move from cloud based to local edge computing and ambient AI interacts with everything in the physical world. See
Gilder Group,
edge computing and
cloud based.