The era of AI agents is dawning, where they’re not just simple tools but can make decisions and perform tasks autonomously. Since 2026, major Big Tech companies have been releasing agent-type AIs one after another, rapidly spreading the trend of handling everything from email organization to schedule management and data analysis without human intervention.
An AI agent is an autonomous AI system that plans and executes intermediate processes on its own once the user sets a goal. While existing chatbots only answered questions, agents complete complex tasks by combining various tools. Microsoft cited agent AI as the most noteworthy technology in its 2026 AI trend forecast. In fact, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and OpenAI’s latest models all feature agent capabilities as key updates. According to a TechCrunch report, 2026 is expected to be the year AI moves away from hype and proves its practical value. In the corporate field, AI agents are already being introduced for automated customer inquiry response, meeting minutes summarization and follow-up task assignment, and repetitive report generation. In the startup ecosystem, vertical agents specializing in specific tasks are also rapidly emerging.
MIT Technology Review analyzed that the spread of AI agents will reshape the way we work, going beyond simple automation. However, challenges remain, such as security issues and accountability for agent judgment errors. The key issue will be how much authority to delegate to agents. Ultimately, the era is approaching where how effectively AI agents are utilized will determine the productivity gap between individuals and companies.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between an AI agent and a traditional chatbot?
A: Chatbots simply respond to user questions, while AI agents are autonomous systems that create their own plans and use various tools to complete tasks once they receive a goal.
Q: What tasks can AI agents replace?
A: Repetitive and rule-based tasks such as email classification, schedule coordination, data organization, report drafting, and customer inquiry response are the primary targets for replacement.
Q: What precautions should be taken when introducing AI agents?
A: You must include setting access permissions for sensitive data, establishing a monitoring system for agent judgment errors, and a human review process for final decision-making.