Always-On Agents
AoADefinition
Always-on agents are AI systems that remain available over time to carry out standing instructions, monitor events, or resume work without a fresh prompt for every step. They typically combine persistent state with schedules or event triggers.
Useful for recurring operational work when ownership, permissions, budgets, and escalation rules are explicit. Always-on describes availability and continuity; it does not mean a model runs continuously or has unrestricted authority.
An agent watches a shared support queue, checks new issues against approved policies, drafts responses, and alerts a person only when a case needs attention.
How it differs from related terms
A chatbot usually waits for a message. An always-on agent has an ongoing assignment and can wake on a trigger. A long-running agent may finish one extended project and stop; an always-on agent remains available for future work.