Core Viewpoint - The research team proposes that agents are not only central to the field of AI but may also represent the fundamental units of the universe, potentially leading to a significant paradigm shift in 21st-century science [1][2]. Group 1: Theoretical Breakthroughs - The theory suggests that viewing agents as the basic units of the universe can lead to at least five important theoretical breakthroughs in fundamental science [2][3]. - A unified formal description of agents may bridge the gap between physical systems and intelligent systems, forming a comprehensive theoretical framework [2]. - Understanding observers as different levels of agents can clarify the fundamental reasons behind the differences among classical mechanics, relativity, and quantum mechanics [2][3]. Group 2: Historical Context - The article outlines the historical development of the concept of the universe's fundamental units, starting from Rutherford's atomic model in 1911 to the establishment of the standard model of particle physics [4][5]. - Despite the success of the standard model, it fails to explain the quantization of gravity, leading to the exploration of string theory and loop quantum gravity, which also face challenges [5]. Group 3: Definition and Evolution of Agents - The article discusses the evolution of the concept of agents, tracing back to Wiener’s cybernetics in 1948 and the development of the first intelligent systems [6][7]. - By 2025, agent technology is expected to become a focal point in the global tech industry, with major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia investing heavily in this area [8]. Group 4: Agent as the Basic Unit of the Universe - The research team introduces a "standard agent model" that posits any system can be viewed as an agent with five basic functions: input, output, storage, information creation, and control [10][11]. - This model allows for a comprehensive understanding of various intelligent phenomena, suggesting that all intelligent behaviors can be reduced to information processing [11][12]. Group 5: Exploration of Fundamental Scientific Questions - The team explores five fundamental questions, starting with the essence of intelligence and consciousness, asserting that agents are the carriers of these concepts [16][17]. - The framework allows for a unified description of various scientific domains, positioning the universe itself as an evolving agent [18][19]. - The differences among classical mechanics, relativity, and quantum mechanics can be traced back to the varying intelligence levels of observers [20][21]. Group 6: Future Research Directions - Future research will focus on refining the mathematical foundations of the theoretical framework, designing verifiable physical experiments, and exploring applications in advanced technologies like reinforcement learning and quantum computing [33][34].