π’ WEEK 2 β Lesson 1
Title: Introduction to AI Agents
π― Lesson Objective
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to understand what AI agents are, how they execute tasks step-by-step, and how to design a simple agent workflow.
1οΈβ£ What is an AI Agent?
Most students use AI like this:
Ask a question.
Get an answer.
Stop there.
But AI agents work differently.
An AI agent is:
An AI system that can take a goal
Break it into steps
Make decisions
And complete tasks automatically.
Instead of one response, an agent works through a process.
Example:
Goal: Plan a school event
Agent thinking:
Step 1: Suggest themes
Step 2: Create budget draft
Step 3: Draft invitation message
Step 4: Create checklist
That is agent behavior.
2οΈβ£ AI Chatbot vs AI Agent
Chatbot:
Answers one question at a time.
AI Agent:
Handles multi-step tasks.
Remembers instructions.
Follows a process toward a goal.
Think of it like this:
Chatbot = Calculator
Agent = Personal Assistant
Agents donβt just respond.
They execute.
3οΈβ£ How AI Agents Think
An AI agent usually follows this structure:
Goal β Plan β Act β Review β Continue.
Example:
Goal: Help student prepare for exams.
Plan:
Identify subjects
Break into weekly schedule
Generate summaries
Create quizzes.
Act:
Produce materials.
Review:
Adjust if needed
Agents operate in loops until the task is complete.
That is advanced system thinking.
4οΈβ£ Simple Examples of AI Agents
π§ Study Agent
Input: βHelp me prepare for Biology exam.β
Agent generates:
Study plan
Summaries
Practice questions.
π Business Idea Agent
Input: βHelp me start a small food business.β
Agent generates:
Business idea
Target audience
Pricing suggestion
Marketing ideas.
π¨ Content Agent
Input: βHelp me launch a YouTube channel.β
Agent generates:
Channel concept
Content calendar
Video script
Thumbnail ideas.
Notice something:
The agent handles the sequence β not just one reply.
5οΈβ£ Designing a Simple Agent Workflow
Learn this formula:
Goal β Steps β Output
Example:
Goal: Create AI-powered study assistant.
Steps:
Ask what subject
Generate summary
Create quiz
Suggest revision schedule.
Output:
Complete mini study system.
Agents are structured thinking systems.
They do not guess.
They follow plans.
π Practical Activity
Map an AI Agent
Students must design a simple AI agent on paper.
Options:
Option A: Study Support Agent
Option B: Small Business Assistant Agent
Option C: Content Creation Agent
They must clearly define:
The goal
The step-by-step process
The expected output
It must show logical flow.
π Mini Assessment (End of Class)
Students submit:
1 agent workflow map
1 explanation of how it differs from a normal chatbot response
Assessment criteria:
Clear goal
Logical steps
System thinking
Practical usefulness.
π‘Key Takeaway
Chatbots answer questions.
AI agents execute goals.
Builders design systems that think step-by-step.
That is how innovators move from using AI to directing AI.
Next is Week 2 β Lesson 2: Introduction to RAG (Conceptual)
This is where agents gain real knowledge power ππ
Powered by Soft AI Africa | Training the Next Generation of AI Leaders in Africa.