Business
AI Agent
A system that performs a workflow with more autonomy.
Plain-English explanation
Agents differ from copilots because they can plan, call tools, track state, and continue across steps. They need stricter permissions and review.
Why it matters
AI Agent matters because it affects how AI systems are designed, evaluated, priced, or trusted. Knowing the term helps you ask better questions and avoid vague implementation decisions.
- Ask how it changes quality, cost, speed, or safety.
- Look for concrete examples in the workflow you are building.
- Document the tradeoff before choosing a tool or architecture.