The rise of Agentic AI

Artificial Intelligence continues to transform industries, from software development to financial services, legal processes, and customer interactions. Recently, Agentic AI has emerged as a significant advancement, allowing AI to take autonomous action rather than merely responding to prompts. Understanding this evolution is crucial for students and professionals preparing for the future.

What is Agentic AI?

Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems capable of autonomous decision-making and task execution without constant human oversight. Unlike traditional generative AI—which primarily generates text, images, or code upon receiving explicit instructions—agentic AI actively assesses situations, plans actions, and executes tasks proactively. This marks a pivotal shift towards AI systems that function as autonomous "digital teammates," enhancing productivity and innovation across sectors.

How Agentic AI is Changing Industries

Software Development and Operations

OpenAI recently enhanced its Codex model and Agents SDK, significantly expanding agentic capabilities for software developers. These updates empower developers to build sophisticated AI agents capable of independently handling multi-step coding tasks, troubleshooting, and automated testing (PWC).

Additionally, Ciroos.AI emerged from stealth mode, raising $21 million to scale its agentic AI platform aimed at operations teams. Ciroos' AI can autonomously monitor and resolve IT operational issues, drastically reducing downtime and improving reliability.

Financial Services

In financial technology, Intuit announced major enhancements to its proprietary GenOS platform, integrating agentic AI to automate complex financial workflows in QuickBooks and TurboTax. These AI agents autonomously manage bookkeeping, tax preparation, and invoice reconciliation, significantly streamlining business finance processes for its 100 million users (PYMNTS).

Legal and Professional Services

Thomson Reuters recently launched its Agentic Intelligence platform, including CoCounsel, an AI assistant capable of independently managing legal and tax workflows. CoCounsel autonomously drafts documents, analyzes regulations, and assists in complex professional tasks, dramatically accelerating traditional processes (Thomson Reuters).

Startups and Investments

The rapid growth of agentic AI has attracted substantial investment. For example, Sema4.ai secured a $25 million Series A extension, including an investment from Snowflake Ventures. Sema4.ai's platform simplifies the creation and deployment of agentic AI agents without extensive coding, promoting wider adoption across enterprises (Axios).

Internal Adoption at Enterprises

The interest in agentic AI isn't limited to tech giants and startups; even major retail corporations like Macy's are exploring internal deployments of agentic AI tools to optimize operational efficiency and enhance customer service. Recent internal discussions, briefly mentioned during a Macy’s All Hands meeting, indicate an active exploration of how these tools can streamline business processes, though specific details remain confidential.

Implications for Students and Professionals

The rise of agentic AI signals a fundamental change in workplace dynamics, where AI tools transition from mere assistants to proactive, autonomous collaborators. For students entering the workforce, familiarity with AI agent management and integration will become increasingly valuable. Companies will seek employees adept at harnessing AI’s autonomous capabilities, underscoring the importance of staying informed and adaptable to these technological advancements (McKinsey & Company).

Conclusion

Agentic AI represents the next major evolution in artificial intelligence, it will transform the way processes are executed in many industries.

By embracing and understanding agentic AI, individuals and businesses alike can leverage these autonomous tools to enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.