Assistants and AI Agents

Lesson goals

• The model is one component
• Tools, memory, and planning
• Guardrails and human approval

Core idea

The difference between direct answers and systems that plan and use tools.

1. The model is one component: understand it in context, identify inputs and outputs, and define how the result will be verified.

2. Tools, memory, and planning: understand it in context, identify inputs and outputs, and define how the result will be verified.

3. Guardrails and human approval: understand it in context, identify inputs and outputs, and define how the result will be verified.

Practical example

Consider a real application of “Assistants and AI Agents.” Start small, identify available data, and compare the system with a clear baseline before expanding it.

Check your understanding

1. Explain “Assistants and AI Agents” in your own words.
2. Give one appropriate and one misleading application.
3. What risk or limitation should be monitored?