An AI agent is an AI system that can do more than answer once. It can take a series of steps toward a goal and may use tools such as search, email, files, software or other systems.
A normal chatbot might tell you how to compare three vendors. An agent might search the vendors, collect information, place the results in a table and draft a recommendation. If it has broader permissions, it might also send messages or change records.
As an AI gains the ability to act, mistakes can have larger consequences. Useful controls include clear permissions, spending or action limits, approval points, logging, stop conditions and rollback.
What can the agent see? What can it change? What tools can it use? What needs human approval? What happens when information is missing? Can its actions be reversed?
Browse AI agent and software tools · Learn about human control.