What are AI agents, and should you actually use one? Everywhere you look, people are talking about AI agents that can research competitors, monitor trends, draft content, organize projects and automate tasks while you sleep. But before handing over the keys to your digital life, it’s worth asking a bigger question: What are we really building?

In this article, we’ll explore what AI agents are, how they work, how they differ from traditional AI chatbots and the opportunities—and challenges—they present for creators, entrepreneurs, educators and professionals.

If you’re curious about AI but also a little skeptical, you’re not alone. That’s exactly where I found myself while creating this video.

What Are AI Agents?

Over the past few years, most of us have become familiar with AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. We type in a question, they respond and the conversation ends until we ask something else.

AI agents take that idea several steps further.

Instead of simply answering questions, AI agents can complete multi-step tasks on your behalf. Depending on the platform and the permissions you grant, they can:

• Research competitors
• Monitor industry trends
• Organize files
• Draft reports
• Summarize meetings
• Create content
• Connect with apps like Google Drive, Gmail, and Calendar
• Complete workflows with minimal supervision

Think of it this way:

A chatbot is like having an incredibly knowledgeable assistant sitting beside you.

An AI agent is like hiring an assistant who actually gets up from the desk and starts completing the work.

That’s a significant shift.

How AI Agents Are Different from Chatbots

Traditional AI chats are reactive.

You ask.

They answer.

AI agents are proactive.

You give them an objective, and they develop a plan, work through multiple steps, gather information and return with completed tasks.

Rather than helping you think through your work, they’re beginning to help perform it.

That’s why AI agents feel like such a major leap forward.

How Do You Create an AI Agent?

The good news is that getting started is becoming surprisingly simple.

Using ChatGPT

If you have access to Agent Mode, start a new chat and select Agent Mode.

From there, you simply describe the outcome you want.

For example:

“Every Monday morning, research the biggest AI trends for creators and entrepreneurs. Compare what leading YouTube creators are discussing, identify content gaps, and prepare a report with ten new video ideas.”

You don’t need to know how to code.

The AI creates a plan, searches for information, completes the task, and returns with its findings.

If you want it to work with your own information—such as Google Drive, Gmail or Calendar—you can connect those tools and choose exactly what permissions you’re comfortable granting.

Using Claude

Claude approaches AI agents a little differently.

Instead of running inside your browser like ChatGPT, Claude’s agent experience currently happens through its desktop application using Claude Cowork, available with a paid Claude Pro subscription.

After downloading the app, you simply describe what you’d like Claude to accomplish in plain English, and it works through the task while keeping you informed along the way.

Different platform.

Same idea.

You’re giving AI an objective rather than asking a single question.

Real-World Ways AI Agents Can Help

For creators, AI agents might:

• Research trending topics
• Analyze competitors
• Brainstorm YouTube ideas
• Draft newsletters
• Organize research
• Summarize lengthy articles

For entrepreneurs, they could:

• Prepare client meeting notes
• Organize files
• Monitor industry news
• Draft reports
• Help streamline repetitive administrative work

For educators and communications professionals, AI agents can assist with research, summarize documents, organize projects, and prepare first drafts for presentations or communications.

The possibilities are growing almost daily.

But Here’s Where I Pause…

This is the part of the conversation I think we need to have more often.

Because once AI agents stop simply answering questions…

…and begin acting on our behalf…

the questions become much bigger than productivity.

Should AI write an apology email?

Should it comfort a grieving client?

Should it represent your voice?

Should it make ethical decisions for your business?

Should it have access to your inbox?

Your calendar?

Your files?

These aren’t technical questions.

They’re human ones.

The Spiritual Side of AI

Technology has always changed how we work.

AI agents are beginning to change how we think about work itself.

As someone who spends a lot of time reflecting on both technology and personal growth, I don’t believe the question is simply:

Can AI do this?

I think the better question is:

Should it?

Automation can save us time.

It can remove repetitive tasks.

It can free us to focus on creativity, relationships, and meaningful work.

But wisdom isn’t about automating everything.

It’s about knowing what should remain deeply human.

Your creativity.

Your discernment.

Your compassion.

Your intuition.

Those are difficult to automate—and perhaps they shouldn’t be.

So… Should You Actually Use an AI Agent?

My answer is…

Maybe.

If an AI agent helps you spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time doing work only you can do, it can become an incredible productivity partner.

But I’d encourage you to approach these tools thoughtfully.

Learn what they can do.

Understand what permissions you’re granting.

Experiment carefully.

Remain curious.

And most importantly…

Don’t confuse convenience with wisdom.

Final Thoughts

AI agents represent one of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in artificial intelligence.

They’re moving AI beyond conversation and into action.

That’s exciting.

It’s also worth approaching with discernment.

The future isn’t simply about building smarter technology.

It’s about becoming wiser humans.

As AI continues to evolve, I believe our greatest competitive advantage won’t be how quickly we automate everything.

It will be knowing what parts of ourselves should never be automated in the first place.

Watch the Full Discussion

If you’d like to dive deeper into AI agents, see real-world examples, and explore the bigger questions surrounding the future of AI, watch the full YouTube video

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