AI Agents vs. workflows, clearly explained with realistic examples

Learn how to choose between agents and workflows when building AI-powered applications. In this video, @bookercodes at Mastra explains the key differences, trade-offs, and how the two patterns can even work together to create powerful, predictable AI systems. You’ll get clear definitions, real-world examples, plus practical guidance on how to choose the right approach for your project. 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Agents 03:03 Workflows 04:17 Comparison 05:00 Guidance 07:11 Outro Helpful links: Agents overview: https://mastra.ai/en/docs/agents/overview Workflows overview: https://mastra.ai/en/docs/workflows/overview Mastra? Mastra is an TypeScript SDK for building AI agents with memory. It gives you primitives like working memory, semantic recall, and tool use, making it easier to manage long-term context and create agents that behave more like real assistants. Rather than starting from scratch, you can use Mastra to scaffold your agent’s memory architecture, define how it stores and retrieves information, and integrate with tools like vector databases and APIs. ↪ Learn more https://mastra.ai