Smart contracts are programs stored on a blockchain that run when predetermined conditions are met. They work by automatically executing the terms of an agreement through code running on blockchain network. Smart contracts have the potential to revolutionize industries like real estate, banking, commerce, and healthcare by streamlining transactions without middlemen through immutable and trustless execution. Key benefits include reduced costs, fraud and delays compared to traditional systems. Ethereum is currently the most popular platform for developing smart contracts using the Solidity programming language, though other platforms are emerging that may improve scalability.