AI agent

An AI agent is an AI system that takes actions to complete a task, not just answers a question.

In practice: Given a goal, an agent plans steps, uses tools such as a browser, email, a spreadsheet or an API, checks the results and continues until it is done or stuck. Booking meetings, researching leads, updating a CRM and fixing code are common agent tasks.

Why it matters when picking a tool

Agents are most useful for repetitive, well-defined work and least reliable for open-ended tasks with many steps. Look for tools that show what the agent did, ask for approval before anything irreversible such as sending or paying, and keep a log. Check what accounts you have to connect and what it can access.