AI agent vs Chatbot

AI agent vs chatbot represents the fundamental distinction between autonomous systems that can independently execute complex tasks across multiple environments and conversational interfaces designed primarily for text-based interactions. AI agents possess advanced reasoning capabilities, memory persistence, tool integration, and decision-making autonomy that enables them to perform multi-step workflows, interact with external systems, and adapt their behavior based on environmental feedback. Chatbots, while sophisticated in natural language processing, typically operate within constrained conversational contexts and require human guidance for task completion. The key differentiator lies in agency: AI agents can initiate actions, maintain long-term objectives, and operate independently, while chatbots primarily respond to user inputs within predefined parameters. This distinction becomes crucial as organizations evaluate whether they need simple conversational support or comprehensive autonomous assistance for complex business processes.