Software servants - [IT software]

Intelligent agents promise to perform the grunt work associated with many traditional software applications. Butlers are an underappreciated bunch. Deep down, everyone would like their own special fixer to fetch, carry, and expedite menial tasks. While that may not be realistic in the physical world, it´s a distinct possibility in the logical one. The idea of intelligent software agents (ISAs) has existed since the early days of science fiction. Now, some people believe that we are close to realising them. An intelligent software agent would be able to do far more for computer users than a simple Web-based search engine, says Adam Cheyer, co-founder of Silicon Valley-based startup Siri. Siri is to launch an ISA that will be able to perform simple tasks on the user´s behalf. According to Cheyer, we are on the brink of an era in which the software agent will change the era of search. He hopes that it will constitute the third phase of the Web.