AI is moving fast, and new tools are popping up everywhere. One of the most interesting changes is the rise of AI agents. If you’re wondering what an AI agent really is, or how it’s different from a chatbot, this article is for you. I’ll also share a bit about my own experiments with Manus, a modern AI agent, and mention another real-world example. In my next articles, I’ll show you step by step how to create and use your own AI agent.
What is an AI Agent?
An AI agent is a program that can do tasks for you on its own. It doesn’t just answer questions-it can make decisions, plan steps, and use different tools to reach a goal you give it. Think of it as a digital helper that can handle more complex work, not just simple conversations.
For example, if you ask an AI agent to organize your files, it will figure out the best way, sort them, and even create folders-all without you needing to explain every step.
How Are AI Agents Different from Chatbots?
It’s easy to mix up AI agents and chatbots, but they’re not the same. A chatbot is built to chat. It can answer questions, help you find info, or guide you through a website. But it usually sticks to a script and needs you to tell it what to do each time.
An AI agent can take a bigger task, break it down into smaller steps, and use other programs or search the internet to get things done. You give it a goal, and it figures out how to get there-often without needing your help along the way.
My Experience with Manus
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with Manus. Manus is an AI agent that can handle tasks like building websites, analyzing data, or planning a trip. For example, you can ask Manus to create a simple website for your business. It will plan the structure, write the content, and even design the layout on its own. You don’t have to watch over it or give it every instruction.
What I like about Manus is that you can see what it’s working on at each step. It keeps running even if you close your browser, and you can check back later to see the results.
Another Example: GitHub Copilot
Another good example is GitHub Copilot. Copilot helps programmers by suggesting code, finding mistakes, and even writing whole functions. If you’re working on a coding project, Copilot looks at what you’re doing and offers smart suggestions, saving you time and effort.
What’s Next?
AI agents are becoming more useful every day. In my next articles, I’ll show you step by step how to create and use your own AI agents. You’ll learn how to set them up, connect them to real tools, and make them work for you.
Stay tuned if you want to see how easy it is to get started with your own AI agent!