When I first came across the term Agentic AI, I instinctively brushed it off as just another buzzword. Isn’t this just another AI agent with a fancy name? After all, we’ve been living with AI agents for quite some time—chatbots, virtual assistants, and recommendation engines—all working tirelessly behind the scenes. But the more I read about it, the more I realised that Agentic AI is not just an incremental improvement; it’s a whole new level of intelligence and autonomy.
Let me start by explaining the basics: What is an AI agent, and what makes Agentic AI so different?
AI Agents: The Reliable Taskmasters
Think of an AI agent as your dependable assistant. It performs specific tasks based on well-defined rules and algorithms. It doesn’t think beyond its programmed scope, and it certainly doesn’t surprise you with any independent decisions. In fact, you could say it’s like a diligent clerk who follows instructions to the letter without question. It gets the job done—no more, no less.
Here are a few examples of AI agents that you’ve probably interacted with:
- Customer Support Chatbots:
Imagine you’re on a website trying to reset your password. You type your question into a chat window, and the bot quickly provides a step-by-step guide. You’ll get your answer in seconds if your question falls within its programmed scope. But if you ask something more complex about a unique error message, it politely directs you to a human representative.
That’s a classic AI agent. Efficient for routine tasks but limited in scope. - E-commerce Product Recommendation Engines:
You browse for a new smartphone on your favourite online store. The AI behind the scenes tracks your clicks, analyses your preferences, and suggests related products like phone cases or screen protectors. It works based on data patterns, but it doesn’t truly understand why you want a particular product. It just knows how to push related items your way. - Virtual Personal Assistants (to a Limited Extent):
AI assistants like Siri or Google Assistant can tell you the weather, set reminders, or give directions. But try asking them to solve a complex, multi-step problem, and they’ll quickly hit their limits. They’re programmed to help with specific tasks—not to independently pursue a goal or adapt in real time.
In short, AI agents are practical tools. They’re predictable, reliable, and perfect for repetitive or straightforward tasks. But they cannot go beyond what they’ve been programmed to do.
Agentic AI: The Autonomous Strategist
Now, here’s where things get exciting. Agentic AI is not just about following instructions—it’s about adapting, learning, and making independent decisions based on broader goals.
If an AI agent is a clerk, then Agentic AI is more like an experienced project manager who understands the bigger picture. It doesn’t wait for step-by-step instructions. Instead, it analyses the situation, sets its own goals, and figures out how to achieve them—all while adapting to changing circumstances.
Let me give you some real-world examples to illustrate how Agentic AI stands apart:
- Autonomous Financial Analysts:
Imagine an AI system that monitors the stock market in real time, identifies investment opportunities, and makes decisions without human intervention. Unlike traditional AI agents, which might only send alerts or generate reports, Agentic AI can buy and sell stocks, adjust its strategy based on market trends, and learn from past mistakes.
This isn’t just automation; it’s a new level of autonomy and adaptability. - Drug Discovery in Pharmaceutical Research:
In the field of drug discovery, Agentic AI systems can predict how molecules will behave, propose new compounds, and optimise chemical synthesis processes—all without human guidance. These systems reduce the time it takes to develop new drugs from years to months.
Think about that for a second—AI independently proposing and testing new drugs! That’s Agentic AI in action. - Autonomous Vehicles (Beyond Self-Driving Cars):
When people hear about autonomous vehicles, most think of self-driving cars. But Agentic AI goes further. Imagine an AI managing an entire fleet of autonomous delivery drones. It not only plans optimal delivery routes but also adapts to changing weather, traffic conditions, and customer demands without a single human intervention.
My Take: Why This Difference Matters
When I first tried to wrap my head around the difference between AI agents and Agentic AI, I struggled. I thought, Does this really matter in the grand scheme of things? Aren’t they both just AI doing what AI does best—helping us?
But the more I thought about it, the more significant this distinction was. AI agents are like tools that extend our abilities. At the same time, Agentic AI represents an entirely new collaborative partner that can take the initiative, learn, and adapt in ways we never thought possible.
Imagine the potential:
- Businesses could rely on Agentic AI to autonomously manage entire operations, reducing human workload and enabling employees to focus on creative, high-level tasks.
- In healthcare, Agentic AI can monitor patients, adjust treatments in real-time, and even predict potential complications before they arise.
- Governments could use Agentic AI to manage smart city infrastructures, balancing energy consumption, traffic flow, and public safety without human intervention.
What Could Go Wrong?
Of course, this kind of autonomy comes with risks. We’re entering uncharted territory. What happens when Agentic AI makes decisions that conflict with human values or priorities? How do we ensure it remains aligned with our goals?
We need to grapple with these questions as we embrace this new wave of AI technology. It’s exciting, but it’s also a bit intimidating. How do we strike the right balance between autonomy and control?
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between AI agents and Agentic AI isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s essential for anyone working with technology today. AI agents will continue to play an important role in handling routine tasks, but the future belongs to Agentic AI.
The next time you interact with a chatbot or an AI-powered system, think about where it falls on this spectrum. Is it an AI agent, just following a script? Or is it something more—an independent strategist capable of adapting, learning, and making decisions on its own?
Personally, I can’t wait to see how Agentic AI evolves.
It’s not just about making life easier but redefining what’s possible.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 