Free course 2 · Beginner

What is an AI agent?

What makes an AI "agent" different from a chatbot, the parts every agent is made of, and how to tell when a business actually needs one.

6 lessonsAbout 18 minutes in allNo signup needed
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"AI agent" is one of the most used phrases in technology right now, and one of the least explained. Vendors use it for everything from a chat widget to software that runs whole processes on its own.

This course cuts through that. In six short lessons you'll learn what an agent actually is, the parts every agent is built from, how agents use tools and information, the guardrails that keep them safe, and how to decide whether a job needs an agent at all. Most of the time, as you'll see, a simpler workflow does the job better.

It helps to take What is AI? first, but it isn't required.

You'll finish with: A clear picture of how AI agents work, and the questions to ask before you build or buy one.

Lessons

  1. From chatbot to agent: what changesA chatbot answers. An agent works toward a goal, takes steps and uses tools. Here's the difference, with a business example.3 min
  2. The brain and the brief: model and instructionsEvery agent starts with an AI model and a set of instructions. The instructions matter more than most people think. Treat them like a job description.3 min
  3. Tools: how an agent gets things doneTools are the connections that let an agent search, look things up, update records and send messages. Here's how they work, and why permissions matter.3 min
  4. Memory and context: what an agent knows right nowAn agent can only work with the information in front of it. Here's how context, reference documents and memory fit together, and why keeping them tidy matters.3 min
  5. The loop and the guardrailsAgents work in a loop of plan, act, check and adjust. Guardrails keep that loop safe: approvals, limits, logs and a clear point where a person takes over.3 min
  6. Agent or simple workflow? Choosing wellMany jobs sold as "agent" work are better done by a simple, predictable workflow. Here's how to tell which one a job needs.3 min