Answer: Forbes described “AI email agents” as software that reads an inbox, classifies messages, takes pre-approved actions, and improves when users correct it. The article distinguished agents from chatbots by emphasizing background monitoring and automated operations based on instructions.
Forbes listed typical behaviors including sorting, summarizing, drafting, flagging, archiving, and pushing work into project management or CRM tools. It said agents can use signals such as sender history, thread history, attachments, calendar context, and customer database status. The article contrasted native assistants in email clients, including Gemini in Gmail and Copilot in Outlook, with third-party tools that integrate across workflows, including Zapier, Superhuman, and Shortwave.
Source: Forbes