What is an AI agent, and how do you choose one?
An AI agent is software that can understand a task, use your tools and complete the steps on its own. Here is how to tell a useful agent from an expensive toy.
AI agent vs chatbot
A chatbot answers questions. An agent does work: it reads an enquiry, looks up details, drafts a reply, updates your CRM and reports back. The best agents stop and ask a person before anything important goes out.
Good first jobs for an agent
Sorting and answering routine enquiries.
Drafting follow-up emails and messages for you to approve.
Researching leads and preparing short reports.
Checking websites, listings or stock and flagging problems.
Turning meeting notes into tasks.
Six questions to ask before you build or buy
1. What exact task will it own? Start with one repetitive job, not "everything".
2. Which tools must it use? Email, WhatsApp, CRM, spreadsheet, website. Each one needs a safe connection.
3. Where does a person approve? Anything that posts, sends, pays or deletes should wait for a yes.
4. Where is your data kept? Know which AI model it uses and how keys and customer data are stored.
5. How will you know it works? Agree what success looks like before you build.
6. Who looks after it? Agents need updates as your tools and processes change.
How Market Loom helps
We build AI agents and SaaS products with approval built in. We also run our own AI operator, Mira, every day, so we design around real-world use.
Questions, answered
Will an AI agent replace my team?
A good agent takes repetitive steps off your team so people can focus on decisions, clients and creative work.
Is it safe to let an agent send emails?
It is safest when the agent drafts and a person approves before anything is sent. That is how we build ours.
Do I need a big budget?
Not to start. One focused agent for one repeated task is the best first step.
Want help with this?
Tell us about your business and we’ll reply with how we can help, with no obligation.