Agent layer
An agent layer is the part of a device's software that turns a person's request into finished tasks across the apps on that device. AGI, Inc. builds an agent layer for device makers, made of AGI-ACT action models, an agent harness and the AGI-RUN inference engine, that works in any Android app with no app integrations.
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Related terms
On-device action model
An on-device action model is an action model small enough to run on a phone's or PC's own chip.
Agentic OS
An agentic OS is an operating system with an AI agent that finishes tasks across the device's apps when the user asks.
Inference engine
An inference engine is the software that runs a trained AI model on the chips a device has.
Agent harness
An agent harness is the software around an AI model that runs a task from start to finish and keeps the person in control.
Also called | Action layer, agent stack |
|---|---|
AGI's stack | AGI-ACT action models, an agent harness, AGI-RUN |
Works in | Any installed Android app, with no app integrations |
Where it runs | On the device where the hardware allows, in the cloud when a task needs more |
Silicon | Snapdragon platforms, in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies since March 2026 |
What does an agent layer include?
In AGI's stack it has three parts.
AGI-ACT, a family of action models
An agent harness that runs each task from start to finish
AGI-RUN, an inference engine that runs the models on the device's chips
Why does a device maker need one?
An agent layer lets a device finish tasks in the apps people already use, without waiting for each app maker to build an integration. Counterpoint expects generative AI phones to reach 45% of global smartphone shipments in 2026, up from 36% in 2025.
How is an agent layer different from an assistant built on app APIs?
An assistant built on app APIs works only in apps that offer an integration. An agent layer that works through the interface can act in any installed app.
Approach | Works in apps with no API | Work needed from each app maker |
|---|---|---|
Assistant built on app APIs | No | An integration per app |
Agent layer that works through the interface | Yes | None |
FAQ
What do app makers need to build for an agent layer?
Nothing, when the agent layer works through the app's interface. AGI's agent works in any installed Android app with no APIs or integrations, so app teams do not need to add anything.
Does an agent layer run on the device or in the cloud?
It depends on the hardware. AGI's agent layer runs on the device where the hardware allows and uses the cloud when a task needs more. AGI, Inc. and Qualcomm Technologies announced a collaboration in March 2026 to optimize the stack for Snapdragon platforms.
Is an agent layer the same as an agentic OS?
They are related. An agentic OS is an operating system that completes tasks for the person. The agent layer is the software that does that work across apps, so a device maker can add one to make its operating system agentic.
