Agents & tools
Agent
An AI system that can take actions, use tools, and make decisions autonomously to complete a goal.
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In plain English
An AI agent is a program powered by a large language model (LLM) that can do more than just answer questions — it can plan, make decisions, and take actions in the real world.
Unlike a simple chatbot, an agent can:
- Use tools like web search, code execution, or APIs
- Break a goal into steps and work through them one at a time
- Remember context across multiple turns
- Loop and self-correct when something doesn't work
Examples include coding assistants that can write and run code, research agents that browse the web, and customer service bots that can look up orders and issue refunds.
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Related terms
LLM
Large Language Model — the type of AI behind tools like ChatGPT and Claude, trained to understand and generate text.
Tool Use
The ability of an AI model to call external tools — like a calculator, search engine, or API — to help answer a question.
Function Calling
A feature that lets an AI model trigger specific functions or APIs in your app instead of just returning text.
MCP
Model Context Protocol — an open standard that lets AI models connect to external tools and data sources in a consistent way.
AI Assistant
A conversational AI tool that helps users with tasks like writing, scheduling, research, or answering questions in natural language.
Chatbot
A program that simulates conversation with users — increasingly powered by LLMs to handle natural-language questions and tasks.
Back to glossaryLast reviewed May 2026