Machine Learning·5 minutes read

Guide to AI Agents with Google’s ADK

Ever catch yourself wishing your computer could just… do the boring stuff for you? Like check your emails, update a spreadsheet, or remind you of meetings before they sneak up on you again?

Linas Kapočius

Linas Kapočius

Solutions Architect at Corgineering.com

April 9, 2025
Guide to AI Agents with Google’s ADK

We might not have a full-blown Jarvis from Iron Man just yet, but we’re getting surprisingly close. Thanks to tools like Google’s Agent Development Kit (ADK), you can now build your own simple AI agent—a little digital helper that can reason, take action, and get stuff done on your behalf.

And no, you don’t need a PhD or a billion-dollar lab to do it.

Let’s break it down.

So, What Is an AI Agent?

Think of an AI agent as a smart assistant you can program with goals. Not just “run this command,” but “figure out what to do based on a situation, then go do it.”

Unlike a chatbot that only responds to questions, an AI agent can take steps toward solving a problem. For example, instead of just saying “Your package will arrive tomorrow,” an agent could check your calendar, see you’re out of town, and then reschedule the delivery for you.

Okay, maybe that’s an advanced example—but you get the idea. These agents are built to take action, not just reply.

Why Would You Want One?

Because we’re all busy. And if a bit of smart tech can handle your repeat tasks, that’s time back in your day. Whether you’re a developer, a student, a small business owner, or just someone who loves efficient systems, AI agents can help you:

  • Sort through info and summarize it
  • Automate everyday tasks
  • Make better decisions, faster
  • Build useful tools with less effort

And the cool part? It’s no longer just for giant tech companies. You can build your own, starting today.

Google’s ADK: Your Toolkit for Building an Agent

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Google recently released something called the Agent Development Kit (ADK). It’s basically a starter kit for building your own AI-powered agent—and it’s surprisingly beginner-friendly.

You can check it out right here, but here’s a plain-English version of how it works:

  1. Define a goal – What do you want the agent to do? Something like: “Keep an eye on this folder and alert me if anything changes.”
  2. Give it tools – These are the functions or services it can use. Think of it like giving your agent a set of abilities.
  3. Describe the environment – What does the agent need to know about? Maybe it’s your calendar, a file directory, or a stream of messages.
  4. Let the AI plan – The cool part: you don’t need to spell out every step. The AI will figure out how to reach the goal using the tools you gave it.

Once it’s set up, your agent can monitor things, take action when needed, and even explain what it’s doing along the way.

Is This Something You Can Actually Use?

Yes, absolutely. It’s great for automating repetitive stuff or building little helpers that save you time.

Some real-world ideas:

  • An agent that summarizes your daily news or emails
  • One that watches your GitHub repo and suggests updates
  • A simple helper that tracks your to-dos and reminds you to finish them (finally)

It doesn’t replace full apps or employees, but it’s like adding a reliable assistant for digital tasks—without needing to pay them or explain what a browser tab is.


Just head over to the official docs, follow along, and try building something simple. Even if it’s just a fun side project, you’ll learn how AI tools actually work—and maybe even make your day a bit easier.

And who knows? One day you might just have your own Jarvis. No suit required.

This article is part of our Machine Learning series. Check out our other articles.