In plain language
It is the conductor that decides which model or tool runs next, with what input, and what happens with the output.
Example
One step classifies an email, a router sends it to the right specialized prompt, and a final step checks the reply before sending.
Related terms
Agentic Workflow · AI Agent · Workflow · Conditional Logic
Common misconception
More AI steps are not always better; each added call adds cost, latency, and another place for errors.
Implementation guidance
Start with the simplest chain that works, pass structured data between steps, handle failures at each step, and measure quality end to end.