Assistants That Act Without Asking

AI systems that proactively execute tasks or surface decisions before a user explicitly requests them are becoming a mainstream product strategy. That shift moves responsibility from user prompts to agent policies, changing who is accountable, how consent is obtained, and what business incentives shape behavior. — Framing AI as an acting agent (not just a reactive tool) forces lawmakers, companies, and citizens to revisit consent, liability, transparency, and market‑power rules for everyday digital services.