# AI Agent

> A system that uses a model, tools, context, and control logic to pursue a goal and take actions.

- Category: Agents & Autonomy
- Stage: Established
- Also called: Agent, LLM agent
- Canonical: https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/ai-agent

## Plain English

A chatbot answers. An agent can decide what to do next, use tools, check results, and keep working toward an outcome.

## Example

A coding agent reads an issue, edits files, runs tests, and opens a pull request.

## Why it matters

It is the umbrella term behind most new AI product claims, but the actual autonomy can range from a scripted workflow to a long-running worker.

## Related

- [Agentic AI](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/agentic-ai)
- [Tool Use](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/tool-use)
- [Long-Horizon Task](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/long-horizon-task)

## Mentioned in

- [iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 and tvOS 27](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/ios-27-ipados-27-macos-27-watchos-27-tvos-27)
- [Fable 5, Export Controls, and GLM 5.2](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/fable-5-export-controls-and-glm-5-2)
- [The AI-Powered Developer: Building Modern Web Apps in 2026](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/ai-powered-developer-2026)
- [Open Claw: The Rise, The Chaos, and What Comes Next](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/open-claw-rise-chaos-what-comes-next)
- [The Rise of AI Agents: How Autonomous AI Transformed Work in 2025-2026](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/rise-of-ai-agents-2025-2026)
- [The Evolution of Agentic AI: From Origins to Future Horizons](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/evolution-of-agentic-ai)

## Sources

- [Anthropic: Building Effective Agents](https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/building-effective-agents)
- [Stanford HAI: 2026 AI Index](https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index/2026-ai-index-report)