What Is an AI Agent?
A chatbot answers once. An AI agent works towards a goal in many steps. It plans, uses tools and checks results. This lesson shows what an agent is, when to use one, and how to keep it safe.
New words
- Agent
- A model that plans, uses tools and works in steps to reach a goal.
- Tool
- A function the model can call, such as search or payment.
- Memory
- What the agent remembers from earlier steps or earlier chats.
- Autonomy
- How much the agent may do without asking a human.
- Guardrail
- A rule or check that stops the agent from doing harm.
- Workflow
- A fixed list of steps that you write in advance.
What you will learn
- A friend who only talks
- Chatbot or agent?
- The four parts of an agent
- A worked example: the train booking
- Try it: chatbot and agent, side by side
- How much freedom should it have?
- When not to use an agent
- Risks and guardrails
- In a real system
10 quiz questions at the end.
The full lesson, with interactive demos and the quiz, opens after you sign in with Google. It is free.