AI Op Zak

New · AI agents in plain language

AI that doesn’t just answer but also does things for you

An AI agent looks things up, compares prices and reminds you of appointments. Here are 14 everyday examples, which tool to pick and how to get started. Step by step. No technical knowledge needed.

See the examples What is an AI agent?

What is an AI agent?

You may already know ChatGPT, Gemini or Grok. Those are chatbots: you ask a question and you get an answer. What you do with that answer is up to you.

An AI agent goes one step further. You give it a task and it carries it out for you, step by step: it looks things up, opens websites, fills in boxes or prepares an email. Before important steps it asks for your permission first.

Chatbot: you ask, it answers

  • Answers questions and writes texts
  • You open the websites and click yourself
  • Only does something while you chat

Question: “Which train do I take to Ghent?” You get an explanation. You do the looking up.

AI agent: you give a task, it does the steps

  • Searches, compares and fills in
  • Can do something for you at a set time, for example every morning
  • Asks permission before it pays or sends anything

Task: “Find the cheapest train to Ghent before 10 am and list the options.” The list is ready for you.

Think of it like this: a chatbot is a clever neighbour who gives you good advice. An agent is a neighbour who also pops to the shops for you. But you keep hold of the wallet.

To be honest: scheduled tasks (like a news briefing every morning) are free today. An agent that operates websites for you usually costs money. Each example shows what is free and what is paid.

14 everyday examples

Pick a theme. Every example has an instruction you can copy straight away.

Home & paperwork

Get reminded of regular payments and appointments

Tell it once what comes back every time: the rent, bin day, the dentist check-up. The AI messages or emails you at the right moment, with a handy checklist.

Which tool?

  • Free Grok uses Automations: you choose when Grok runs your task (once, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly). Included in the free version too.
  • Free ChatGPT uses scheduled tasks: free for up to 3 tasks at once, at most once a day, in a rough time window (morning, afternoon or night).
  • Grok Bot uses routines on a fixed schedule that keep running when your computer is off.
Instruction to copy

Remind me every month on the 25th that the rent is due. Add a short list of what I still need to sort out that week: [fill in].

Safety tip: The AI only reminds you. You always pay yourself, in your own banking app.

Have an online form filled in

For example signing up for a sports club, a returns form or a parking permit request. The agent opens the website, fills in the boxes with the details you give it and stops before sending, so you can check everything.

Which tool?

  • Grok Bot works on its own computer in the cloud, with a browser. If a sign-in is needed, it asks through a secure window or you briefly take over.
  • ChatGPT uses Work with the cloud browser (from the paid Plus plan): clicks, fills in forms and asks you to confirm important steps.
  • Free alternative Fully free agents can’t do this yet. You can ask ChatGPT, Gemini or Grok for free what to fill in where.
Instruction to copy

Go to [website address] and fill in the sign-up form with these details: [name, address, email]. Do NOT click send yet. Show me what you filled in first.

Safety tip: Do official things (taxes, pension, health) yourself. Never type your password, PIN or bank code into the chat.

Step-by-step guide →

Collect invoices and newsletters

The agent finds this month’s invoices in your mailbox, lists them with date and amount, and sums up long newsletters in a few sentences.

Which tool?

  • Grok Bot can use your Gmail or Outlook if you connect it, or get its own email address (…@mail.grokbot.com) to forward invoices to. You approve every email it wants to send.
  • Free alternative Paste a long email or newsletter into Copilot, ChatGPT or Gemini and ask for a short summary. You do the copying yourself.
Instruction to copy

Find all invoices and receipts from [month] in my mailbox. Put them in a table with date, company and amount. Don’t send or delete anything.

Safety tip: Scammers sometimes hide fake instructions in emails. So never let an agent pay, send or delete things on its own.

Travel & days out

Plan a day out

The agent finds a trip that suits you: distance, budget, few stairs. It lays out a day plan with opening hours, prices and links to the official websites.

Which tool?

  • Free Grok searches the web live and makes a plan with links.
  • Free Gemini makes a detailed plan with sources using Deep Research. This is included in the free version too.
  • Grok Bot and ChatGPT (Work) can also open websites themselves, for example to check whether tickets are still available.
Instruction to copy

Plan a relaxed day out for 2 people aged 70, leaving from [town], by train. At most 1 hour of travel, few stairs, a museum and a nice place for lunch. Give opening hours, prices and the link to the official website.

Safety tip: Opening hours and prices may have changed. Check them on the official website before you leave.

Step-by-step guide →

Compare trains, flights or hotels

You give your dates and wishes. The agent checks several websites, compares prices and travel times and puts the best options side by side. You do the booking.

Which tool?

  • Grok Bot opens travel websites on its own computer and asks your OK before it buys anything.
  • ChatGPT finds flights that match your plans with Work and the cloud browser. From Plus.
  • Free Perplexity and Grok give you a free first overview with links. You still compare yourself.
Instruction to copy

Find a train trip from Brussels to Paris on [date], leaving after 9 am, returning on [date]. Compare 3 options on price and travel time in a table. Don’t book anything.

Safety tip: Never let an agent pay without you seeing and approving the amount. Only pay on the real website of the carrier or hotel.

Shopping & comparing online

Choose and compare a device

Looking for a new vacuum cleaner, phone or washing machine? The agent finds models within your budget, lists pros and cons and tells you where it found the information.

Which tool?

  • Free Perplexity answers with sources you can click.
  • Free Grok searches live for prices and reviews.
  • ChatGPT (Work) and Grok Bot can open shop websites themselves, for example to check stock.
Instruction to copy

I’m looking for a cordless vacuum cleaner up to €250 for a flat with a dog. Compare 3 models in a table: price, weight, battery life, pros and cons. Say where you found the info for each model.

Safety tip: Only buy from shops you know. Not sure about a web shop? Check it with your national consumer or cybersecurity website first.

Keep an eye on a price or a sale

You want to buy something when it’s on sale. The agent checks every day and lets you know when the price drops.

Which tool?

  • Free ChatGPT checks once a day with a scheduled task and sends you a notification or email.
  • Free Grok does it with a daily Automation.
  • Grok Bot can open the shop page itself and read the price, even when your computer is off.
Instruction to copy

Every morning, check what the [product name] costs at [shop 1] and [shop 2]. Only tell me when the price drops below €[amount], with the link.

Safety tip: AI can misread a price. Always check the price on the website yourself before you order.

Work, freelancers & small business

Answer customer emails (as drafts)

The agent reads new questions from customers, looks up the answer in your own info (price list, opening hours) and prepares a friendly reply. You read it and send it yourself.

Which tool?

  • Grok Bot works with Gmail or Outlook and makes a draft you approve before it goes out.
  • Free ChatGPT and Copilot: paste the customer’s question and let it write a reply. You copy and send it yourself.
Instruction to copy

Read today’s new customer emails. Write a short, friendly reply to each question. Use our price list and opening hours: [paste here]. Don’t send anything: save everything as a draft.

Safety tip: Don’t share customer data that isn’t needed. Keep the privacy rules (GDPR) in mind.

Compare tradespeople and quotes

You need a painter, an accountant or a new energy supplier. The agent finds candidates near you, puts prices and terms side by side and makes a short list to call.

Which tool?

  • Free Gemini makes a detailed overview with sources using Deep Research.
  • Free Grok searches current info and reviews.
  • ChatGPT (Work): OpenAI itself mentions ‘requesting quotes from businesses’ as an example of what the cloud browser can do. From Plus.
  • Grok Bot can fill in contact forms and asks your OK before it sends anything.
Instruction to copy

Find 5 painters near [town] with good reviews. Make a table with name, website, phone number and what customers say. Don’t contact anyone yet.

Safety tip: Reviews can be fake. Always ask for a written quote yourself and compare them.

Let a weekly chore run by itself

Every Monday, go through your web shop orders, or every Friday, make a list for your accountant. You explain it once and the agent does it every week, even when your computer is off.

Which tool?

  • Grok Bot turns a task into a routine on a fixed schedule. You can also show it a task once (‘Teach a task’, rolling out gradually). From 30 dollars a month (excl. VAT).
  • Free Manus has a free plan with daily credits and 2 scheduled automations. Paid from 20 dollars a month.
Instruction to copy

Every Monday at 9 am: open [web shop dashboard], note last week’s number of orders and the 3 best-selling products. Send me a short overview. Don’t change anything in the shop.

Safety tip: Test a routine once while you watch. Only then let it run by itself.

Step-by-step guide →

Learning & hobbies

A short language lesson every day

You want to brush up your French, Spanish or Dutch. The agent sends you 5 new words and a mini quiz every morning, at your level.

Which tool?

  • Free Gemini sends you a message at a set time with scheduled actions. Google itself mentions daily practice quizzes as an example. It is rolling out gradually, so you may not see it yet.
  • Free Grok does it with a daily Automation.
  • Free ChatGPT does it with a scheduled task (at most once a day in the free version).
Instruction to copy

Every morning, send me 5 useful French words for travelling, with an example sentence and how to pronounce them. End with 3 short quiz questions. My level: beginner.

Safety tip: Just answer in the same chat: the AI corrects you and explains what could be better.

Weekly ideas near you

A list of markets, walks, concerts or exhibitions near you, ready every Thursday for the weekend.

Which tool?

  • Free Gemini can do this every week with scheduled actions. Google itself mentions a weekly roundup of new local cafés and restaurants as an example.
  • Free Grok searches live for events and can do this for you every week.
Instruction to copy

Every Thursday at 6 pm, give me a list of 5 things to do this weekend in and around [town]: markets, walks, concerts or exhibitions. Preferably free or cheap, with date, time and link.

Safety tip: Check the time and place on the organiser’s website. An AI can show an old event.

Staying up to date

A short news briefing every morning

At 8 am a briefing is waiting for you: the main news in 5 points, in plain language, with links to the source.

Which tool?

  • Free Grok searches the web and X live, and does this every morning with Automations. Free.
  • Free ChatGPT does it with a scheduled task: at most once a day in the free version, in a rough time window.
  • Free Gemini does it with scheduled actions (rolling out gradually).
Instruction to copy

Every morning at 8 am, give me the main news from [my country] in 5 short points, in simple language. Add the link to the source for each point.

Safety tip: A summary can get something wrong or leave things out. For important news, read the article itself.

Step-by-step guide →

Follow a topic that matters to you

New rules about your pension, energy grants or a condition you have? The agent checks every week for news and explains it simply.

Which tool?

  • Free Grok does it with a weekly Automation and a short explanation.
  • Free Perplexity gives a quick answer with sources in between.
  • Free ChatGPT does it with a scheduled task that tells you when there’s news.
Instruction to copy

Every Monday, check whether there’s news about [topic, e.g. energy grants in my region]. Explain it in 3 simple sentences and give the link to the official source. Nothing new? Just say so.

Safety tip: For money, health and the law, the official source always wins: your government website, health insurer or bank.

Which AI agent should you pick? The tools side by side

Short and honest: what each tool can do as an agent today, and what it costs.

ToolWhat can it do as an agent?Free or paid?In Belgium and the Netherlands?
GrokSearches the web and X live. With Automations, Grok runs a task at a set time and sends you the result.Free Scheduled Automations are included in the free version too.Yes
Grok BotAn AI assistant with its own computer in the cloud: browses, fills in websites, prepares emails and runs routines, even when your laptop is closed. Asks your OK before important steps. Included in the Premium plan: 30 dollars a month (excl. VAT). The 8-dollar Plus plan doesn’t include Grok Bot.Yes. Apps for Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone and Android, also in Dutch.
ChatGPTFree: up to 3 scheduled tasks (at most once a day). Paid: Work with its own cloud browser that operates websites.Free Cloud browser from Plus.Yes
GeminiFree: Deep Research and scheduled actions (rolling out gradually). Google’s real agent (Gemini Spark) doesn’t work in the EU yet.Free Agent not in the EU yetPartly
ClaudeChatting is free. Claude in Chrome operates websites for you in the Chrome browser on your computer. Claude in Chrome from Pro.Yes
Microsoft CopilotChatting is free. ‘Browse with Copilot’, where Copilot works in the Edge browser itself, comes to the US first, for paying Microsoft 365 Premium subscribers.Free to chatChat: yes. Browse with Copilot: US first.
ManusAn agent that looks things up, researches topics and turns them into reports or slides.Free plan with daily credits. Pro from 20 dollars a month.Yes

Prices in dollars are the official prices excluding VAT. You see the amount in euros at checkout. Prices and features change often: always check the official website.

You’ll find all tools per task in our AI guide: Ask a question, Look something up and Let boring tasks run by themselves. No account yet? See our sign-up guides for ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Copilot.

Working safely with AI agents

  1. Start small. Let the agent look something up before you let it do something.
  2. Never type your password, PIN, bank code or login code into the chat. Does the agent need to sign in? Do it yourself in the secure window the tool shows, or simply do that step yourself.
  3. Make the agent stop before it pays, sends, books or deletes anything. Just say so: “Ask me for permission first.”
  4. Only give access to what’s needed: one mailbox, one website. Sign out or disconnect the app afterwards.
  5. Watch out for fake instructions. Websites and emails can contain hidden instructions meant to trick an agent. Does the agent do something you didn’t ask for? Stop the task straight away.
  6. Check the result. Agents can make mistakes too. For money, health and the law, check with a person: your bank, your doctor or the government.
  7. Watch out for free trials that renew automatically. Set a reminder before the trial ends.

Also read: how to spot a fake ChatGPT →

Next steps

Checked on 19 October 2026. AI Op Zak is independent and not affiliated with the companies mentioned. There are no affiliate links on this page.

Sources (official pages)