Agent
An AI system that can autonomously take actions and make decisions to accomplish goals.
Definition
An AI agent is a system that can perceive its environment, make decisions, and take autonomous actions to achieve specified goals. Unlike simple chatbots, agents can plan multi-step tasks, use tools, and adapt their approach based on outcomes.
Modern AI agents combine large language models with the ability to browse the web, write and execute code, manage files, and interact with other software systems.
Why It Matters
Agents represent the next frontier of AI automation, capable of handling complex workflows that previously required human coordination. They can research, analyze, draft, and execute tasks with minimal oversight.
Understanding agents helps businesses identify which tasks can be automated and how to design effective human-AI collaboration.
Examples in Practice
A customer service agent handles refund requests end-to-end: verifying the order, checking return eligibility, processing the refund, and sending confirmation emails.
A research agent explores a topic by searching the web, reading articles, synthesizing findings, and producing a structured report with citations.
A coding agent reviews bug reports, identifies the problematic code, implements fixes, runs tests, and submits pull requests for human review.