Learn AI / Term Explorer /AI Agents and Automation
AI Agents and Automation
Systems that do not just answer but act: calling tools, taking steps, and needing supervision.
Starter
AI agent
An AI system that can pursue a goal by selecting and carrying out multiple steps, often using software tools, with oversight matched to its risks.
AI assistant
Software that uses AI to help with tasks by taking instructions, sometimes using connected tools, and returning a draft, answer or proposed action for a person to review.
API
An application programming interface defines rules that software uses to request data or actions from another system.
Chatbot
A chatbot is a system that takes messages in ordinary language and returns replies in a back-and-forth conversation.
Connector
A connector links an AI system or app to another digital service so it can send requests, receive results, and use them in a task.
Copilot
A tool that helps a person complete digital tasks by drafting, searching, and sometimes taking limited actions under human direction and review.
Human in the loop
A system setup where a person reviews, guides or approves an AI-driven step before the workflow continues or completes.
Tool use
A system uses external software or devices during a task to look up information, calculate, carry out actions or control equipment beyond its own processing.
Workflow
A workflow is an ordered set of steps that moves information or tasks from input to result, often combining software, people and checks.
Intermediate
Agentic AI
A system that can pursue a goal through several tool-using steps, checking results and adjusting its next action with limited human direction.
Computer use
A system capability that lets software observe what appears on a screen and operate apps by clicking, typing, scrolling and selecting items.
Feedback loop
A process where the result of an action is fed back into the system and changes a later action, often through comparison with a goal or rule.
Function calling
A method that lets a model return a structured request for an external tool or system instead of only producing free-form text.
Long-term memory (in AI systems)
Stored information an AI system can retrieve across separate sessions to personalise, continue tasks, or reuse past facts and preferences.
Model Context Protocol
A standard way for an AI application to connect with external tools and data sources through a shared, predictable interface.
Multi-agent system
A multi-agent system contains multiple software agents that interact, directly or through a control layer, while carrying out a shared or related task.
Observation and action
In an acting system, observations are the signals it receives, actions are the steps it takes, and the act-observe loop is the repeated cycle linking the two.
Orchestration
The control layer that coordinates an AI system’s steps, tools, rules and handoffs so a task can move from request to checked result.
Planning
Planning is the process of turning a goal into ordered sub-tasks, checks and possible actions so a system can act step by step.
Short-term memory (in AI systems)
Temporary information kept available during a current interaction so an AI system can use recent instructions, results and observations in its next step.