Introduction to AI Agents

An AI agent is software that can observe context, decide what to do next, and use tools to work toward a goal. Unlike a one-shot chatbot response, an agent can take a sequence of steps: gather information, choose an action, check the result, and continue until it reaches a stopping point.

A useful way to think about an agent is as a loop: perception, reasoning, action, and feedback. The model interprets the current state, selects a next step, uses a tool or produces an output, then evaluates what changed. A clear goal, appropriate tools, and well-defined limits keep that loop focused and predictable.

AI agents can support research, customer service, workflow automation, and knowledge tasks. They are most effective when the task has a clear outcome and the agent can verify its work. Human review remains important for sensitive decisions, external commitments, and high-impact actions.