Intermediate · Cognitive

Planning

Visual diagram · (in preparation) · Math · (in preparation) · Worked example · 3 difficulty levels.

TL;DR. Deciding on a sequence of actions to achieve a goal under given constraints.

Technical Definition

Deciding on a sequence of actions to achieve a goal under given constraints.

How it works

Classical planning uses search algorithms over symbolic states (PDDL, A*). Modern AI agents combine LLM reasoning with tool use, hierarchical decomposition, and self-correction loops. Robust planning across long horizons remains one of the hardest open problems.

Related Concepts

• Autonomous Agents — AI systems that pursue goals over many steps with minimal human intervention.
• Reasoning — An AI system's ability to draw logical, multi-step conclusions from given information.
• Decision Making — Choosing actions or recommendations under uncertainty, often using probabilistic or utility-based reasoning.