AI Agent
What is an AI agent?
An AI agent is an AI system that has autonomy to decide which tools to use and in which order when responding to user input, operating like a team member that can work independently to accomplish tasks. Unlike deterministic workflows where steps are predefined, AI agents can dynamically choose from available tools and determine their own path to complete a goal based on the context and requirements they encounter.
How do AI agents differ from AI workflows?
The key distinction between AI agents and workflows lies in autonomy. Workflows follow predetermined, step-by-step sequences where each action is scripted in advance. In contrast, AI agents can evaluate a situation and independently decide which tools to use and in what order to achieve their goal.
For example, an agent evaluating customer interview transcripts might assess whether to analyze all dimensions of a rubric or focus on just one or two based on the specific content and learning goals it encounters. This adaptive decision-making allows agents to be more flexible and responsive than fixed workflows.
What can AI agents do in product development?
AI agents can handle a variety of autonomous tasks in product work. They can simulate human behavior on websites, navigating pages and identifying friction points to return insights. They can work in the background during interview synthesis, finding source material related to team observations and ensuring takeaways are grounded in actual interview content. This autonomous operation allows product teams to focus on higher-level analysis while agents handle time-consuming verification and research tasks.
Learn more:
- AI Prototyping: How 11 Real-World Teams Are Transforming Their Work with Lovable
- Building My First AI Product: 6 Lessons from My 90-Day Deep Dive
- Customer Interview Analysis: Where AI Helps and Hurts
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