What is an AI Agent? How Does it Works?

April 18, 2025

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency, improve customer experiences, and drive growth. Among the most transformative innovations are AI agents—autonomous systems capable of performing tasks, making decisions, and interacting with users or other systems. These agents are revolutionizing industries by automating routine processes and enabling more personalized and responsive services.

What is an AI Agent?

An AI agent is an autonomous or semi-autonomous software entity that utilizes artificial intelligence techniques to perceive its environment, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals. These agents can operate independently or collaboratively with humans and other agents, adapting to dynamic environments and learning from interactions to improve performance over time.

How Does an AI Agent Work?

AI agents function through a cycle of perception, decision-making, and action. They gather data from their environment, process this information using AI algorithms—such as machine learning, natural language processing, and reasoning—and then execute actions based on their analysis. This continuous loop enables them to adapt to new information and refine their behavior to better achieve their objectives.

Types and Use Cases of AI Agents

AI agents come in various forms, each tailored to specific functions and industries. Key types include:

Customer Service Agents: Handle inquiries, provide support, and enhance user engagement.
Sales Agents: Assist in lead generation, customer outreach, and personalized recommendations.
Marketing Agents: Analyze market trends, manage campaigns, and optimize content delivery.
Operational Agents: Streamline internal processes, manage logistics, and monitor systems.

These agents are employed across sectors such as e-commerce, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, driving efficiency and innovation.

What is the difference between chatbots and conversational AI? Details are here.

How Businesses Are Using AI Agents

Companies are leveraging AI agents to automate routine tasks, enhance decision-making, and provide personalized customer experiences. For instance, businesses utilize AI agents to manage customer inquiries, process transactions, and analyze data for strategic insights. This integration leads to increased productivity, cost savings, and improved customer satisfaction.

Will AI Agents Replace Human Support Agents?

While AI agents are adept at handling repetitive and data-driven tasks, they are not poised to replace human support agents entirely. Human agents bring empathy, complex problem-solving, and nuanced understanding to customer interactions—qualities that AI currently cannot replicate fully.

Instead, AI agents serve as valuable tools that augment human capabilities, allowing support teams to focus on more complex and emotionally sensitive issues.

Can Businesses Build Their Own AI Agents?

Yes, businesses can develop custom AI agents tailored to their specific needs. Platforms like Vivollo offer user-friendly tools that enable companies to create and deploy AI agents without extensive technical expertise.

These platforms provide customizable templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and integration options, facilitating the development of agents that align with business objectives and customer expectations.

Do AI Agents Keep Customer Data Safe?

Ensuring the security and privacy of customer data is paramount when deploying AI agents. Reputable AI platforms implement robust security measures, including data encryption, access controls, and compliance with data protection regulations. Additionally, businesses must establish clear policies and oversight mechanisms to monitor AI agent interactions and safeguard sensitive information.

Vivollo: AI-Powered Agents for Perfect Customer Experiences

Vivollo is an all-in-one platform designed to help businesses create and deploy AI-powered agents that enhance customer support and drive revenue growth. With a suite of versatile tools and features, Vivollo enables companies to build customized AI agents tailored to their unique needs.

Key Features of Vivollo:

AI-Assisted Scanning: Vivollo allows you to train your AI agent using your website or other resources, developing a model tailored to your business expertise. This ensures that your AI agent can provide precise customer support based on the gathered data.
Instant Templates: To facilitate quick setup, Vivollo offers ready-made flows designed for specific AI agent functions, including product recommendations, discount offers, and lead collection.
Flow Builder: With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can design and refine your AI agent’s workflow without any coding. This feature allows you to effortlessly add, rearrange, and modify blocks to tailor your agent to your needs.

Multi-Channel Support: Vivollo enables you to deploy your AI agent across various platforms, including your website, Shopify, Messenger, and WhatsApp, ensuring seamless 24/7 customer support.
Seamless Handoff to Live Agents: When complex inquiries arise, Vivollo ensures a smooth transition from AI to human agents through integration with the Grispi app, maintaining a seamless customer experience.
Lead Generation: Vivollo’s AI chat widget engages visitors in real-time, capturing key details such as names, emails, and preferences. This helps build a valuable database for personalized follow-ups and marketing campaigns.

Discover Vivollo: The AI agent platform built for outstanding customer experiences.

AI agents represent a significant advancement in how businesses operate and interact with customers. By automating routine tasks and providing intelligent support, these agents empower companies to focus on strategic initiatives and deliver personalized services. As technology continues to evolve, embracing AI agents will be crucial for businesses aiming to stay competitive and responsive in a dynamic marketplace.

Fill out the form for detailed information and demo account, let us call you.