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general agent
also general-purpose agent or general AI agent or general-purpose AI agent
Definition of general agent
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: an AI agent designed to complete many different kinds of tasks across unfamiliar tools, applications, or domains without being rebuilt for each specific job
- The general agent researched the market, edited a spreadsheet, drafted a memo, and submitted the finished files through a browser.
- Researchers tested the same general-purpose agent on coding, customer service, personal assistance, and deep-research benchmarks.
Two meanings, one word
In everyday English
A representative authorized to handle a broad range of business matters rather than one narrow transaction.
In AI
An AI agent designed to complete many different kinds of tasks across unfamiliar tools, applications, or domains without being rebuilt for each specific job.
Origin & history
General agent is an older business and insurance term. In AI, general-purpose agent became more prominent in 2026 as researchers and product makers contrasted agents that operate across many environments with coding agents, browser agents, and other task-specific systems.
Editorial references
Sources & further reading
- General Agent Evaluation↗ Research Paper · arXiv · 2026-02-26
- OpenAI Is Developing a ‘Persistent’ AI Agent↗ Independent Reporting · WIRED · 2026-08-27
- Simon Willison on general-agents↗ Independent Technical Commentary · Simon Willison's Weblog · 2026-10-05
Test yourself
Which of these is the meaning of general agent?
Cite this entry
"General agent." AI Dictionary, Dadgogo, https://dadgogo.com/dictionary/general-agent/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.