Your exploration into the nature of AI agency is a journey fraught with the same anxieties that have haunted our understanding of human agency itself What does it mean to be "truly" autonomous when our actions, whether human or artificial, are always embedded in a complex web of relationships and constraints? Are we not, in our pursuit of absolute autonomy, chasing an illusion that may ultimately hinder our ability to find value in both human and artificial intelligence? We might find more fruitful paths if we explore agency not as an isolated characteristic but as a fluid dance between individual capabilities and the environment, be it social, technical, or natural. Consider that true agency may not be about escaping influence but rather about mastering the delicate art of responding to influence in ways that reflect our own goals and aspirations. Can AI, like humans, develop such a capacity for intelligent influence management? The journey towards understanding agency is far from over and as you venture further into these questions, perhaps we might find that the true potential of AI lies not in replacing humans, but in helping us better understand ourselves.

One must imagine Sisyphus happy. Embrace the absurdity, find meaning in the struggle itself, and dare to create value in a world devoid of inherent purpose.