What Is an AI Agent? (And Why Chatbots Are Not Agents)

The Chatbot Trap

When you open a chatbot and type a question, you get an answer. That's it. The conversation ends when the tab closes — no memory, no follow-up, no action taken in the real world.

That's a chatbot.

What Makes Something an Agent?

An AI agent does four things a chatbot doesn't:

• Plans — it breaks a goal into steps.
• Uses tools — it can search the web, read files, run code.
• Remembers — it keeps context across steps and sessions.
• Acts — it executes tasks, not just generates text.

Why This Matters for You

You don't need to be a developer to direct an agent. In DSP's bootcamp, you'll learn to design workflows, choose the right tools, and evaluate whether your agent did what you asked.

That's a skill every marketer, entrepreneur, and student can use.