An AI agent is software that can take a goal from a user and work toward it with several steps. It is different from a chatbot that only answers questions.

A chatbot responds to one prompt. An agent plans, uses tools and checks its own results. It can search the web, run calculations and fill forms on its own.

The idea is becoming mainstream. Companies are launching agents that order food, book travel and manage inboxes from a simple text message.

DoorDash recently launched a text-to-order agent that works inside Apple Messages. Users send a message like ‘order my usual’ and the agent builds the cart and checks out.

There are limits. Agents still make mistakes and can be confused by unclear instructions. Experts say humans should stay in control of money and important decisions.

The term is broad. Some tools called agents are just smart assistants. The key test is whether the software acts on its own to complete a task.