Conversation Is an Interface
A chatbot primarily exchanges messages. It may retrieve information or invoke tools, but a conversational UI alone does not establish authorization to change a business system.
Agents Coordinate Tasks
An agent workflow can use context, tools, state, validation, and escalation to handle a bounded task. Tool access, provider credentials, and tenant policy determine what it can actually do.
Choose by Risk
Use a conversational surface for questions and guided requests; use a governed workflow when the task needs state, evidence, system access, or approval. A product can combine both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chatbot become an agent?
It can front an agent workflow, but the backend still needs scoped tools, authentication, policy, and evidence.
Do agents always act without people?
No. Workflows can be read-only, proposal-only, approval-gated, or active within narrow scopes.
Topics
Ready to try it?
Evaluate the workflow with your own approved data, integrations, review gates, and success criteria.
See governed agents