Chatbots answer
A chatbot mainly turns your message and conversation context into a response. It may be useful without taking actions in other systems.
Shared foundationLesson 01
What Is an AI Agent?
Learn the practical difference between a chatbot, a fixed workflow, and an agent that can choose tools and adapt its next step.
- Time
- 20 minutes
- Level
- Beginner
- Reviewed
- August 1, 2026
Lesson outcome
You will be able to recognize when a task needs an agent and when a simpler prompt or automation is the better choice.
Before you start
- No coding required
- One real task you would like AI to help with
Mental model
Three ideas to keep
Workflows follow a path
A workflow uses predefined steps. It is often the safest choice when the process is stable and every branch can be described in advance.
Agents choose the next action
An agent works in a loop: understand the goal, choose an action, use a tool, observe the result, and adjust until it finishes or asks for help.
Follow along
Complete the workflow
- 01
Name the outcome
Write one sentence describing the finished result, not the technology. Example: Produce a reviewed weekly competitor brief with source links.
Expected result: The sentence describes an artifact or decision that a person can inspect. - 02
List the actions
List what must happen between the request and the result: search, read, calculate, edit a file, send a draft, or request approval.
Expected result: You can see which steps require tools or access to external information. - 03
Test for uncertainty
Ask whether the next step can be fixed in advance. If the path is predictable, prefer a workflow. If the system must inspect results and decide what to do next, an agent may help.
Expected result: You can explain why the task needs a prompt, workflow, or agent. - 04
Set the stopping rule
Define what completion looks like and when the system must stop for human review, such as before publishing, paying, deleting, or contacting someone.
Expected result: The task has a visible finish line and at least one explicit safety boundary.
Practice task
Classify three tasks
Choose three recurring tasks from your week. Label each one Prompt, Workflow, or Agent, then write one sentence explaining your choice.
You are done when:
- Each task has a concrete outcome.
- You identified the tools or information it needs.
- At least one task includes a human approval boundary.
Guardrails
Keep the exercise safe and reviewable
- Do not add autonomy simply because a tool supports it.
- Start with the smallest system that can reliably complete the task.
- Treat tool access and permission level as part of the design, not setup details.