OpenAgents: An Open Platform for Language Agents in the Wild (2310.10634v1)

Abstract: Language agents show potential in being capable of utilizing natural language for varied and intricate tasks in diverse environments, particularly when built upon LLMs. Current language agent frameworks aim to facilitate the construction of proof-of-concept language agents while neglecting the non-expert user access to agents and paying little attention to application-level designs. We present OpenAgents, an open platform for using and hosting language agents in the wild of everyday life. OpenAgents includes three agents: (1) Data Agent for data analysis with Python/SQL and data tools; (2) Plugins Agent with 200+ daily API tools; (3) Web Agent for autonomous web browsing. OpenAgents enables general users to interact with agent functionalities through a web user interface optimized for swift responses and common failures while offering developers and researchers a seamless deployment experience on local setups, providing a foundation for crafting innovative language agents and facilitating real-world evaluations. We elucidate the challenges and opportunities, aspiring to set a foundation for future research and development of real-world language agents.

• The paper presents an open framework that democratizes language agent development for non-experts and researchers.
• The platform integrates Data, Plugins, and Web Agents to deliver practical, rapid-response, and fault-tolerant interactions using intuitive tools.
• The architecture emphasizes a robust UI and a decision-making Language Agent driving adaptive, real-time responses in complex environments.

OpenAgents: An Open Platform for Language Agents in the Wild

The paper "OpenAgents: An Open Platform for Language Agents in the Wild" presents an open framework tailored for the development, deployment, and evaluation of language agents, particularly for non-experts and application-level designs. Unlike traditional frameworks that primarily target proof-of-concept agent implementations, OpenAgents emphasizes accessibility and practicality for everyday users, developers, and researchers.

Platform Overview

OpenAgents is a comprehensive platform crafted to democratize access to language agents. The platform includes three primary agents: Data Agent, Plugins Agent, and Web Agent. This setup enables users to engage with agent functionalities through a web interface, suited for rapid responses and fault tolerance. Developers can deploy and extend the platform effortlessly, while researchers are provided with tools to innovate and assess new language agent methodologies.

Figure 1: The OpenAgents platform for general users, developers, and researchers.

Architecture

The architectural components of OpenAgents are segmented into the User Interface and the Language Agent. The User Interface serves as the conduit between users and the backend, facilitating communication and managing operations. The Language Agent houses the core decision-making abilities, integrating the LLM with tools and an environment to execute actions. The interaction flow begins with user requests and culminates with the Language Agent's response, mediated by its underlying components.

Figure 2: System overview of OpenAgents' architecture comprising User Interface and Language Agent.

Agents in Practice

Data Agent

The Data Agent is optimized for data interrogation tasks using tools like Python and SQL. It supports operations such as data analysis via Kaggle datasets or heuristic profiling. This agent prioritizes using data tools to generate code, emphasizing efficiency and completeness when responding to complex queries.

Figure 3: Pipeline~(left) and demonstrations~(mid and right) of Data Agent.

Plugins Agent

By integrating over 200 plugins, the Plugins Agent addresses diverse user needs ranging from shopping to educational resources. The agent autonomously determines the best plugins for user tasks, aiming to streamline operations by automatically selecting relevant tools based on context.

Figure 4: Pipeline~(left) and demonstrations~(mid and right) of Plugins Agent.

Web Agent

The Web Agent is designed for dynamic web interaction, extending the capabilities of chat agents by enabling web browsing actions. The agent orchestrates web interactions by sequentially executing sub-tasks determined through a decomposition of high-level instructions.

Figure 5: Pipeline~(left) and demonstrations~(middle and right) of Web Agent.

Practical Considerations

Implementing OpenAgents within the wild unveiled several challenges, notably in real-time interaction adaptability, execution environment stability, and robustness against unanticipated user actions. Key advancements include developing a data model for adaptive data processing and improving streaming methods to reduce latency in system responses.

Implications and Future Research

OpenAgents establishes a practical foundation for future research in real-world language agents by offering an extensible framework suitable for broad user demographics. The authors anticipate further advancements through the integration of additional tools and development of specialized agent models tailored to domain-specific applications.

Conclusion

OpenAgents provides a versatile, user-centric platform that facilitates the exploration of language agents beyond theoretical confines. By emphasizing practicality and accessibility, it stands poised to inform further AI innovations and commercial applications, balancing theoretical exploration and user-facing utility.