AI agents are transforming how businesses automate complex workflows. Unlike traditional automation tools that follow rigid rules, AI agents can reason, plan, and adapt to new situations -- making them the next evolution in enterprise software. What Is an AI Agent? An AI agent is an autonomous software entity that uses large language models (LLMs) to perceive its environment, make decisions, and take actions to achieve a goal. Think of it as a digital worker that can understand context, use tools, and complete multi-step tasks without constant human supervision. The key difference between a chatbot and an agent is agency -- the ability to act independently. A chatbot responds to prompts. An agent plans a sequence of actions, executes them, observes the results, and adjusts its approach. Core Components of an AI Agent Every production-grade AI agent needs these building blocks: 1. Reasoning Engine The LLM at the core that processes instructions and decides what to do next.…