Generative AI agents are typically categorized based on the goal they are designed to achieve.
The agent described is performing a sequence of distinct, interconnected, operational tasks (processes orders, updates inventory, sends notifications, handles returns). These steps are typical components of a business workflow or process automation.
A Workflow Agent is an AI agent whose purpose is to automate and manage an entire business process or a complex multi-step sequence of operations that traditionally required manual handoffs between different systems or teams. It uses its large language model brain, coupled with tools (such as APIs to a CRM, Inventory database, or shipping system), to observe the state of a process (e.g., a new order), reason about the next step, and execute the necessary actions to move the process forward toward completion.
Customer Service Agents (C) and Conversational Agents (D) are focused on user interaction (chatbots, virtual assistants) rather than back-end transactional automation.
Employee Productivity Agents (B) typically focus on individual tasks like drafting emails, summarizing meetings, or internal search, not automating an end-to-end operational flow like order fulfillment.
Therefore, an agent designed to automate a complete, multi-step business process like order fulfillment is correctly classified as a Workflow Agent.
(Reference: Google Cloud Generative AI training materials categorize agents based on function, with Workflow Agents being those designed to automate multi-step business processes and operational sequences.)
