From chatting to doing
A typical AI chatbot answers questions and drafts content when you ask. An AI agent goes a step further: it can take actions toward a goal, such as searching for information, filling out forms, updating a spreadsheet, or working through a series of steps with less direction from you.
How agents work
Agents usually combine an AI model with access to tools, like a web browser, email, calendar, or business software. They plan steps, use tools, check results, and continue until the task is done or they need help.
Possible business uses
- Researching and summarizing information from several sources
- Organizing data across spreadsheets
- Drafting and scheduling routine messages for review
- Handling multi-step administrative tasks
Risks to consider
Because agents can take actions, mistakes can have bigger consequences. An agent with access to email or payment systems could send the wrong message or take an unintended action. Start with tasks where errors are easy to catch and reverse.
Keep a human in the loop
Set agents up so important actions, like sending messages to customers, spending money, or deleting data, require your approval. Review what the agent did, especially early on.
Protect access
Only give agents access to the tools and data they actually need. Follow security best practices and your software providers' guidance.
Start small
Try agents on low-risk, internal tasks first. As you learn how they behave, you can decide whether they're useful for more important work.
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