智能体

• Pinyin: zhì néng tǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 智能 (intelligent) + 体 (entity/body) -> intelligent agent/entity.

Meaning

An AI agent or autonomous intelligent entity that can pursue tasks with tools or steps.

In current AI talk, it usually means a system that plans, calls tools, and completes workflows. It is more specific than a chatbot when autonomy is involved.

Examples

1. 这个智能体能自动整理会议纪要。 This agent can automatically organise meeting notes.
2. 智能体要接工具，权限必须管好。 If an agent needs to connect to tools, permissions must be tightly managed.
3. 别把普通问答机器人都叫智能体。 Do not call every basic chatbot an agent.

Usage Guide

Context: AI, automation, workplace, tech media

Tone: technical, practical

Do Say

• 我们做了一个报销智能体。（Use for task-oriented AI agents.）
• 智能体需要清楚的权限边界。（Mention governance.）

Don't Say

• 把只会聊天的页面叫智能体。（An agent should take actions or manage tasks.）

Common Mistakes

• Overstating autonomy; many so-called 智能体 are scripted workflows plus a model.

Origin & History

A Chinese term from AI research for agent, revived by LLM-based agent products and automation workflows.

Cultural Context

Era: 2020s

Generation: Gen Z and Millennials, now broadly understood

Social background: Urban online speakers, students, and workers

Regional notes: Used across Mainland China, especially in online and casual speech.