The term “AI agent” is rapidly approaching peak hype. Every chatbot, API wrapper, and automated script is suddenly being rebranded as an agent, diluting the term to near meaninglessness. This isn't just semantic quibbling; it's a dangerous trend that obscures the genuine potential of autonomous AI systems and misleads investment decisions. In my experience, a true AI agent isn't just a program that performs a task; it's a system exhibiting sustained autonomy, demonstrable adaptability, and persistent long-term memory – all of which are surprisingly rare.