Evaluation is one of the most important research areas for large language models (LLMs). Recently, patterns in LLM usage and evaluation have drastically changed. Whereas we previously evaluated LLMs using benchmarks composed of static questions or short conversations, we now have agent systems that operate over long time horizons and interact with the environment. Agents are difficult to properly evaluate due to their complexity and autonomy. To accurately measure the capabilities of an agent system, we must build harnesses that are realistic and capable of testing agents similarly to how they are used in practice. Building such evaluation capabilities is now more important than ever due to the growing adoption of agents in high-stakes applications like coding and medicine.

This overview will provide a detailed guide of how current agent systems are evaluated. We will begin by developing an understanding of agents in general, covering everything from basic concepts to multi-agent systems. We will then provide a clear framework for the agent evaluation process based upon common patterns observed in practice. Building upon this knowledge, we will end with several case studies of recent agent benchmarks and provide a roadmap that outlines how to build our own agent evaluation by applying similar concepts. Although evaluation is time-consuming and difficult, learning how to properly evaluate agents is incredibly valuable. By rigorously measuring performance and not relying on anecdotal checks, we can rapidly improve agent capabilities. — Read More