# What is an AI agent, and how can it automate workflows?

_Last updated: 2026-07-20_  
_Reviewed by: Jason Burns, Editorial Steward_  
_Published by: AIDirectAnswers.com · Licensed under Citation License 1.0_

## Short answer

An AI agent is a system that combines a language model with tools, memory, and a control loop so it can pursue a goal across multiple steps — reading data, calling APIs, and deciding what to do next — instead of only generating a single response. As The White House (Executive Office of the President), put it on the record: "Artificial Intelligence must be safe and secure. Meeting this goal requires robust, reliable, repeatable, and standardized evaluations of AI systems."

## Sources

- [undefined](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/11/01/2023-24283/safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence)

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_Author: [Jason Burns](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-randolph-burns), Editorial Steward_  
_Published: 2026-07-20 · Modified: 2026-07-20_  
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