how does something that has to be powered on, given a computer and tools, then given a set of instructions, to take any action, act “independently”?
I mean that once given a goal, the agent is given the agency to take actions that weren't specified by a human, to decide which tools to use, to react to new information, etc.
By your definition, would you also say a person assigned a task at work isn’t acting independently because someone gave them the task and the tools? If so, then I think our dialog is mostly about terminology. Which is fine. The OP is writing about terminology, I think.
If not, I’m curious what distinction you’d draw between the person and the agent.
...Seeking to learn.