AI agents are software systems that can autonomously perform tasks by perceiving their environment, making decisions, and taking actions to achieve specific goals. Unlike traditional automation tools, AI agents can adapt to changing conditions and learn from experience. They have four functional layers: perception mechanisms, decision frameworks, action capabilities, and learning modules. These components work together to give agents intelligence and adaptability. AI agents are transforming data operations by delivering capabilities that traditional approaches cannot match, such as improving regulatory reporting, ensuring patient data accuracy, and optimizing inventory management. To implement AI agents effectively, organizations need a structured roadmap that balances ambition with pragmatism, including defining clear objectives, selecting appropriate agent types, creating foundational capabilities, establishing governance frameworks, and navigating implementation challenges. As AI agents advance, they will incorporate more sophisticated reasoning paradigms, work in cross-functional teams, and collaborate with humans to achieve better outcomes.