An AI agent is a system that pursues a goal through multiple steps: it plans, uses tools (search, code, APIs), observes results, and adjusts — instead of answering a single prompt once. The 'agentic' part is the loop of action and feedback, not any single model call.
Agents turn chatbots into workers that can complete tasks, but they also multiply failure modes: a wrong step early can cascade. Understanding agents helps you judge claims about AI 'doing things' autonomously.
An agent asked to 'plan a team offsite' might search venues, compare prices, draft an email, and refine the plan — calling tools repeatedly until the goal is met.