AI Agent
An AI system that can autonomously plan, reason, and take actions to accomplish goals. Unlike simple chatbots, agents can use tools, make decisions, execute multi-step workflows, and adapt their approach based on results.
Why It Matters
AI agents represent the next frontier of AI — moving from answering questions to actually doing work. They can automate complex workflows across tools and systems.
Example
An AI agent that receives 'Book me the cheapest flight to Tokyo next week' and autonomously searches flights, compares prices, checks your calendar, and completes the booking.
Think of it like...
Like a highly capable personal assistant who does not just answer questions but actually goes out and gets things done — making calls, booking appointments, and following up.
Related Terms
Tool Use
The ability of an AI model to interact with external tools, APIs, and systems to accomplish tasks beyond text generation. Tools extend the model's capabilities to include search, calculation, code execution, and more.
Function Calling
A capability where an LLM can generate structured output to invoke specific functions or APIs. The model decides which function to call and what parameters to pass based on the user's request.
Planning
An AI agent's ability to break down complex goals into a sequence of steps and determine the best order of actions to accomplish a task. Planning involves reasoning about dependencies, priorities, and contingencies.
Reasoning
An AI model's ability to think logically, make inferences, draw conclusions, and solve problems that require multi-step thought. Reasoning goes beyond pattern matching to genuine logical analysis.
Multi-Agent System
An architecture where multiple AI agents collaborate, each with specialized roles or capabilities, to accomplish complex tasks that no single agent could handle alone.
Agentic AI
AI systems designed to operate with high autonomy — planning, executing, and adapting without constant human oversight. Agentic AI emphasizes independent action-taking to accomplish user goals.