Everyone says 2025 is the year of AI agents. The headlines are everywhere: "Autonomous AI will transform work," "Agents are the next frontier," "The future is agentic." Data & Infrastructure agents: Database operation agents that handle complex queries and migrations, DevOps automation AI systems managing infrastructure-as-code across multiple cloud providers. TL;DR: Three Hard Truths About AI AgentsAfter building 12+ production systems, here's what I've learned:Error rates compound exponentially in multi-step workflows. Building the Right WayIf you're thinking about building with AI agents, start with these principles:Define clear boundaries.