Chatbots work on scripts and decision trees — answering pre-programmed questions. AI agents use LLMs for context understanding, have access to tools (CRM, APIs, databases) and can perform complex multi-step tasks autonomously. A chatbot is FAQ on steroids; an AI agent is a digital employee.
| Criterion | Chatbot | AI Agent | |-----------|---------|----------| | Intelligence | Rules/scripts | LLM (GPT-4, Claude) | | Understanding | Keywords | Context and intent | | Actions | Answer questions | Multi-step tasks | | Tools | None | CRM, API, DB | | Learning | Manual | Self-learning | | Cost | from $1,200 | from $3,500 | | Response time | Instant | 1-5 seconds |