AI buzzword dictionary
What is AI agent?
An AI system that can take a series of actions towards a goal, not just answer a single question.
What this actually means
An agent can plan steps and use tools — searching the web, filling in forms, sending messages or running code — then decide what to do next based on the results.
The more an agent can do on its own, the more important it is to limit what it has access to and to review its actions.
Example
You ask an agent to find three hotel options under £120 near a venue and add the best one to your calendar. It searches, compares and creates the calendar entry.
Where you may meet it
Booking assistants, coding assistants, customer-service systems and office automation.
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026