Unleashing the Power of AI Agents
IBM SkillsBuild
Last updated June 19, 2026
Unleashing the Power of AI Agents is a 90-minute lesson from IBM SkillsBuild that explains what AI agents are and how they work — without asking you to build one. It covers the different types of agents and how they go about carrying out tasks, where they genuinely improve efficiency, and how to weigh up situations where one would help, closing with a simulation that personalizes a fitness plan using an agent. The aim is a clear conceptual picture, not a coding workshop.
What you'll learn
- What an AI agent is, and how it differs from a tool that just answers questions
- The different types of AI agents, grouped by how they carry out tasks
- How AI agents work
- Where agents improve efficiency, and how to spot a fitting use case
- A simulation: personalizing a fitness plan with an AI agent
Frequently asked questions about Unleashing the Power of AI Agents
Who is Unleashing the Power of AI Agents for?
Curious learners who want to understand what AI agents are and where they're useful before going hands-on.
Is Unleashing the Power of AI Agents free?
Yes — Unleashing the Power of AI Agents is completely free to take.
What are the prerequisites for Unleashing the Power of AI Agents?
None; no programming required. Starting the course needs a free IBM account.
Why we suggest this course
For anyone hearing "AI agents" everywhere who wants to understand the idea properly before deciding whether to go hands-on. It stays conceptual — what agents are, the types that exist, and the kinds of problems they suit — which makes it good orientation ahead of any later build-focused course. It's free; starting it needs a free IBM account.