From the GitHub repository:
Auto-GPT is an experimental open-source application showcasing the capabilities of the GPT-4 language model. This program, driven by GPT-4, chains together LLM “thoughts”, to autonomously achieve whatever goal you set.
The idea is that you prompt Auto-GPT with a goal—buy me the best E-bike—and then a high-level “agent” breaks down this goal into a hierarchy of tasks—research reviews, compare prices, find distributors, etc—the primary agent then delegates “sub-agents” to complete each task.
Think of it as giving GPT-4 the ability to recursively call itself.
Additionally, each agent has access to a variety of tools. For example, they can use the internet, execute code, and store information in short & long term memory.
Auto-GPT’s developer Toran Richards, in an interview with Vice:
The ability to function with minimal human input is a crucial aspect of Auto-GPT. It transforms a large language model from what is essentially an advanced auto-complete, into an independent agent capable of carrying out actions and learning from its mistakes