What is an AI agent?

An AI agent automatically analyzes customer data, makes decisions, and completes marketing or support tasks for you, like recommending products or answering complex queries. 

For example, an AI agent can instantly guide a shopper to relevant items using real-time user signals, increasing satisfaction and reducing cart abandonment.

Why use an AI agent?

  • Deliver highly personalized content and recommendations using cross-channel, real-time data for measurable uplifts in conversions.
  • Free your team from repetitive manual work—agents independently optimize segmentation, experiment, and solve issues across all touchpoints.
  • Uncover actionable insights: AI agents proactively surface opportunities and risks, allowing you to act before performance dips.

AI agent vs. Chatbot vs. AI assistant

CapabilityAI AgentChatbotAI Assistant
AutonomyIndependent, proactiveScripted, reactiveUser-guided
ContextAdaptive, cross-channelPredefined flowsPartially contextual
IntegrationAll workflows, channelsPoint solutionIntegration varies
LearningContinuous, self-improvingLimitedSome
Example1:1 personalized product guideOrder status botCalendar reminder

FAQs

How do AI agents differ from chatbots or assistants?

AI agents can reason through complex tasks, adapt to live data, and act without prompts; chatbots stick to scripts, and assistants require ongoing input. More on this at Agent One™ Overview.

Can AI agents personalize experiences across multiple channels?

Yes, modern agents integrate with your CDP and CRM to unify campaigns, coordinating SMS, email, web, and in-app messaging. Learn more from the Agentic AI Engagement Guide.

Are AI agents hard to set up?

Platforms like Insider’s Agent One™ require minimal configuration and self-train with your existing data, delivering results quickly.

What marketing tasks do agents automate?

Agilist AI agents optimize segmentation, run targeted experiments, push content recommendations, and highlight new growth areas. See AI Agents for Customer Engagement for examples.

How do you measure AI agent ROI?

All actions are tracked in analytics dashboards, monitor resolved queries, campaign uplift, and predictive insights to prove impact.