Column: AI agents are advancing rapidly, but the automation map remains smaller than expected

<p class="P1" data-sourcepos="5:1-5:504;150-653">Token prices are falling while overall AI usage continues to surge &mdash; a trend this column examined in March 2026 and one that has only accelerated since. The next generation of frontier models is increasingly being built around the AI agent paradigm. In recent months, competition among leading AI labs has intensified, with successive releases demonstrating the ability to plan tasks, delegate work, use multiple tools and skills, and directly interact with computer interfaces &mdash; all at declining costs.