Intent

Intent refers to the specific goal or purpose behind a person's actions or communication. In everyday terms, it's what someone aims to achieve or express with their words or behaviors. For example, if someone asks for directions, their intent is to find their way; if they apologize, their intent might be to mend a mistake or show remorse. Recognizing intent helps in understanding motives, making decisions, and interpreting interactions accurately. It is a fundamental concept in communication, psychology, and many technical fields like artificial intelligence, where understanding the intent behind a user's input guides appropriate responses or actions.