dunno if the AI would ever be better than just an npc pet, but a npc pet should be very possible, although handling exp would be tricky. Don't know if anyone remembers but there was an npc in butcherblock you could give cash to and he would follow you around and help you fight, I think it was "a greedy beggar".
You could possibly script a NWN type help system, where you ask him for a heal and he'll heal you if he has mana, or other pet commands.
I personally think it's silly to try and develop some kind of AI where they seek groups and buy/sell and stuff like that, however. Better IMO to make them like hirelings you could, well, hire, with a variety of skills, whether they be a rogue that backstabs or a cleric that heals.
I'm anxious for the new quest system, to investigate if maybe something like this is viable, though I have no idea how you'd assign an npc pet to a pc and give it custom AI.. =)
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