Jonáš SvětlíkWhat an AI agent is and when to use one
A chatbot answers a question. An agent has a goal and takes steps on its own to reach it. Here is the difference, where agents make sense and where caution is still the better call.
Chatbot vs agent
A chatbot reacts: you ask, it answers. Agent acts: it gets a goal and takes the steps to reach it - searches, writes, calls a tool, checks the result.
Examples of agents
- Research that searches the sources itself and writes a summary.
- An assistant that plans and distributes tasks.
- An automation that decides for itself what to do next.
When to use an agent
For a repeated multi-step task with a clear goalwhere it pays for the thing to happen by itself. On critical decisions with nobody watching, be careful.
The risks
An agent can make a mistake across several steps in a row, it costs something and it is harder to check. On anything important, keep a person on the reins and have them approve the key steps.
Agents today are excellent as assistants, not as an autopilot for everything. Put them to work, but keep a hand on the brake.
Considering an agent for your business?
I will tell you whether it makes sense and build it so it helps rather than harms. Tell me what it should do.