AI agent
Also called agent.
An AI agent is a system that selects actions, uses tools, and checks results while working toward a goal.
Example
You tell an agent to file expense receipts into a folder. It opens the mail, saves the attachments, and stops when a receipt is unreadable instead of guessing an amount.
Why it matters
A chatbotA chatbot is software that communicates through conversation, from scripted replies to AI assistance and actions. answers in a conversation. An agent may also click, call a service, or edit a file if it has been given that access. The goal and the boundaries still come from the person or the product rules.
Common confusion
An agent is not the same thing as a chatbotA chatbot is software that communicates through conversation, from scripted replies to AI assistance and actions., and it is not automatically allowed to act on every account you own.
Sources
Updated September 30, 2026.