# Agent

An AI system that works toward a goal by deciding its own next steps and using tools to take actions.

What makes something an agent is that the model, not fixed code, decides what to do next. Describe any agent with four questions: what you hand it (autonomy), whose permissions it uses (identity), what it can change (permissions), and what starts it (trigger).

Also called: AI agent

Often confused with: Assistant, Workflow automation

Source: https://redfinchadvisory.com/lexicon/agent (version 1.0, changed 2026-10-21)