Agentic AI: The Emergence of Operational Intelligence in Business

At its core, agentic AI is designed to automate specific functions within a company’s operations without requiring human intervention. For instance, AI agents can autonomously manage customer service tasks, such as processing refunds or replacements, and they can detect and mitigate potential network threats proactively.

Early implementations of this technology include GitHub Copilot Workspace, which assists with code repository management, and Google AI Teammate, which helps manage projects by tracking processes, generating reports, and creating new tasks for developers. Mikhail Dunaev, Chief AI Officer at ComplyControl, notes that such tools could potentially replace entire development teams in the coming years, though truly valuable assistants are still emerging.

A Capgemini study reveals that 75% of surveyed organizations are exploring AI agents for software development, highlighting its growing importance. Cognitive AI agents also show promise in fields like healthcare, where they can support mental health treatments, and in education, where they can assist in recruiting students by assessing their interests and advising on suitable programs.

Organizations such as Aflac, Atlantic Health System, Legendary Entertainment, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory are already integrating agentic AI into their operations. According to a Capgemini survey, 10% of large enterprises are currently deploying AI agents, with over 50% planning to explore their use within the next year. Forrester recently named AI agents among the top 10 emerging technologies for 2024, with Brian Hopkins, Vice President of Forrester’s emerging tech portfolio, describing them as “perhaps the most exciting development” this year.

Hopkins points out that AI agents are now leveraging advanced language models to perform complex tasks, make decisions, and interact autonomously, moving beyond the generative capabilities of previous AI models. This evolution promises more sophisticated and robust automation solutions.

Jacob Kalvo, Co-founder and CEO of Live Proxies, emphasizes that the true value of agentic AI lies in its independence. His company uses AI agents to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats autonomously, which allows for greater innovation and more robust security infrastructure without constant human oversight.

In contrast to generative AI, which focuses on creating content such as text or images, agentic AI emphasizes operational decision-making and execution. Kalvo explains that while generative AI may appear more creative, agentic AI is more focused on executing tasks with direct business implications.

Agentic AI can also offer a better return on investment compared to generative AI, as it often requires less human intervention. Dunaev suggests that agentic AI's ability to handle tasks independently and make decisions autonomously can drive more tangible business value.

Mike Finley, CTO and Co-founder of AnswerRocket, views agentic AI as the next evolution in AI technology. He notes that with advanced language models capable of breaking down complex problems and performing incremental steps, businesses can tackle more challenging issues while gaining insights into the problem-solving process.