...I am not sure it is intention alone or it is the know-how in performing certain action.
Something you see sometimes is that an explanation changes while the phenomena described remain the same. A famous example is the shift to a Copernican understanding of the orbits of planets. Copernicus was not quite right, but his explanation was closer to right than what went before.
As it turns out, the scientific explanations of how AT works are not set in stone, with some researchers wanting to differentiate it more clearly from hypnosis. Early on it was thought just a variation on the same theme.
What I, as a non-expert, can tell you is that AT's "Standard Exercises" induce a relaxed and suggestible frame of mind. There are specific steps to follow, but they are all directed by your own intention. So there is know-how involved, but you have to be taught even something as simple as how to punch properly.
You can, of course, learn to punch according to various styles, or even take an unskilled poke without training. Likewise, there are various ways, as taught by various sources, of reaching a suggestible trance state, and even some unskilled ways to get there such as staring into a flickering fire or rippling water.