Definition
An AI agent combines a model, instructions, business context, and tool access. Unlike a chatbot that only answers, an agent can retrieve information, prepare work, or trigger constrained actions.
Why it matters
Agents can extend a team across repetitive multi-step work, but their permissions and failure modes must be designed deliberately.
Business example
An operations agent checks a request against policy, gathers missing details, and prepares a manager approval packet.
When to use it
Use it for bounded, repeatable work that crosses systems and still benefits from judgment.
When not to use it
Do not use it as an autonomous substitute for accountable approval in high-risk work.
How Automathing approaches it
We define the job, permissions, stop conditions, and human handoffs before giving an agent access to live systems.