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AI Agents: Software That Acts, Not Just Answers

An AI agent is a program that doesn't just answer your question and stop — it actually takes steps to get a job done on your behalf. You give it a goal, and it figures out a plan, makes decisions along the way, uses tools like web search or email, and keeps going until the task is finished. Think of it like the difference between asking a friend 'how do I book a flight?' versus handing a friend your credit card and saying 'book me a flight to Paris next Friday.' The agent is the friend who actually does the booking.

Example: You tell an AI agent: 'Research the top five project management tools and send me a summary email.' It searches the web, reads articles, compares features, writes the summary, and emails it to you — all without you lifting a finger after giving that first instruction.