Complexity Simplified #1: LLMs VS AI Agents?

Amir Bder
Jan 22
2 min read

Welcome to the first post of Complexity Simplified at TheComplexWorldOfAI. We’re cutting through the hard techy words to explain what’s actually happening in AI.

Today’s topic: AI Agents and LLMs.

If you’ve been using ChatGPT to just summarize notes or write emails, you’re only seeing 10% of the power. We are moving from "Chatbots" to "Agents." Here is the difference.

The Tech Talk (The boring version...)

We are transitioning from Large Language Models (LLMs)—which are static inference engines—to Agentic Workflows, which utilize iterative reasoning, tool-use, and autonomous feedback loops to complete multi-step objectives.

In other words...

The Pro Gamer vs. The Strategy Guide

Imagine you’re playing an open-world game that gives you a hard time (like Elden Ring).

The Standard LLM (ChatGPT/Claude) is like a Strategy Guide. It has all the info. It can tell you exactly where the boss is, what its weaknesses are, and how to beat it. But the guide can’t actually play the game for you. You still have to do all the grinding, clicking, and traveling yourself. The guide just sits there waiting for you to ask it a question.

The AI Agent on the other hand is like a Pro Gamer with your controller. An Agent doesn't just tell you how to beat the boss; it takes the controller and does it. * It sees the boss is resistant to fire, so it pauses the game and swaps your gear (this is called "Reasoning").

It realizes it’s out of health potions, so it goes to the shop and buys more (this is "Tool Use").
It doesn't stop until the mission is "Complete."

Quick summary to make sure you understad:

LLM's are better for those who want to learn something while using AI to help, and Agents are better for those who just want to get the job done ASAP.

Why This Matters for You (students)

As a student , the "Strategy Guide" AI helps you brainstorm an essay. The "Agent" AI is a whole different beast.

The Old Way (LLM): You ask AI to write a bibliography. You still have to find the links, check if they’re dead, and format the margins.
The New Way (Agent): You tell the Agent: "DO THIS" and it does it, it doesn't just give you directions and point you somewhere, it uses it's own creativity.