# What agents are and when to use them vs. simple LLM calls

> Understanding agents and their applications is crucial for anyone looking to enhance their skills in AI and data engineering. This lesson delves into the concept of agents, highlighting their ability to automate complex tasks through a reasoning loop that allows them to interact with various tools…

- Web page: https://learn.thecyberinstructor.com/lesson/what-agents-are-and-when-to-use-them-vs-simple-llm-calls-3037
- Program: [AI for Cybersecurity (Sept 2026)](https://learn.thecyberinstructor.com/program/ai-for-cybersecurity-8168.md)
- Access: Requires enrollment in AI for Cybersecurity (Sept 2026)
- Length: 1 h 55 min video
- Skills: NLP, LLMs
- Academy: The Cyber Instructor

## About this lesson

Understanding agents and their applications is crucial for anyone looking to enhance their skills in AI and data engineering. This lesson delves into the concept of agents, highlighting their ability to automate complex tasks through a reasoning loop that allows them to interact with various tools and APIs. Participants will learn how to build specialized agents using tools like Langflow and Clot Code, enabling them to perform tasks such as IP address analysis and reconnaissance effectively.

## Navigation

- Previous lesson: [Model Context Protocols (MCPs) for reliable AI behavior](https://learn.thecyberinstructor.com/lesson/model-context-protocols-mcps-for-reliable-ai-behavior-3772.md)
- Next lesson: [Building a multi-step security automation agent](https://learn.thecyberinstructor.com/lesson/building-a-multi-step-security-automation-agent-4.md)
