AI is moving beyond chatbots and into autonomous digital work. In The Rise of AI Agents, Quentin G. Dalton explains how agentic AI is changing the way organizations operate, make decisions, and manage productivity. Written for business leaders, entrepreneurs, managers, and curious professionals, this book offers a clear, practical introduction to what AI agents are, how they work, and why they matter now. Readers will learn the core elements of an AI agent, including goals, memory, tools, and feedback loops, along with the different levels of autonomy and the situations where human oversight remains essential. The book also explores the technology stack behind agentic AI, including large language models, APIs, external system integration, and persistent state. With a formal, accessible approach, this book helps readers understand the shift from passive software to systems that can act on behalf of people. It is designed to build confidence, sharpen judgment, and prepare readers to respond thoughtfully to the rise of autonomous AI in business and everyday work.