Films and TV shows have long depicted a future full of autonomous robots capable of making their own decisions, taking initiative, and acting independently. From C-3PO and Jarvis to Bender and Rosie the Robot, these fictional characters not only responded to commands but also took action on their own, navigating the world with agency and autonomy. While we’re not yet living in a world full of sentient robots or advanced operating systems like Samantha from Her, technology is inching us closer to that future every day.
The development of Agentic AI is the next big leap in artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional AI systems, such as chatbots or large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, which rely on human input to function, Agentic AI operates independently. It can make decisions, adapt, learn, and execute tasks without constant human guidance. This new form of AI can be given a goal, and from there, it takes charge of figuring out the best way to achieve that objective.
For instance, when an Agentic AI is tasked with planning a European vacation, it won’t just follow a set of pre-written instructions. Instead, it will use an LLM to understand the requirements, develop a strategy, and break the task down into a series of smaller steps. It will then seek information online and from external systems, continuously refining its approach as it learns from the process, adapting its strategy to improve and optimize the outcome. Ultimately, the AI will autonomously plan and book the trip, making adjustments as needed, until it’s fully tailored to your preferences and within your budget.
One of the most visible and widely recognized applications of Agentic AI today is in autonomous vehicles. Companies like Waymo are leading the way with self-driving cars that use Agentic principles to navigate complex environments, make real-time decisions, and adapt to changing conditions on the road. These vehicles are already operating in select locations like Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. However, Agentic AI is also playing a role in semi-autonomous cars, where features like collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist drivers with decision-making on the road.
But Agentic AI isn’t just limited to transportation. It’s already being deployed across a variety of industries, from business and healthcare to finance and software development.
- Business Applications: In 2024, Salesforce launched Agentforce, a platform that allows companies to create customized AI agents to handle tasks like customer support, sales, and operations. This is just one example of how Agentic AI is streamlining business processes and improving efficiency.
- Financial Services: Companies like Bud Financial are using Agentic AI to manage personal banking tasks. For instance, the AI agents automatically move customers’ money to take advantage of higher interest rates or prevent overdrafts, all while making real-time decisions based on market conditions.
- Healthcare: Hippocratic AI is providing healthcare professionals with AI agents that perform specific medical tasks. These agents cover a range of functions, from counseling patients on lifestyle changes to assisting with dialysis onboarding. There are currently about 200 different AI agents available, each with its own human-like avatar and specialty.
- Software Development: The use of Agentic AI is also transforming the world of coding. AI agents like Devin can autonomously complete coding requirements, including planning, coding, debugging, and deployment. NVIDIA’s CEO, Jensen Huang, believes that using Agentic AI in software development will soon become a standard practice, with everyone having a software assistant to help with coding tasks.
Additionally, platforms like Zapier and Microsoft Copilot Studio allow users to build their own AI agents. OpenAI is also set to launch its own Agentic AI tool, Operator, by January 2025, while Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet LLM already incorporates Agentic AI for tasks like coding and API integration.
Looking ahead, Agentic AI systems will likely evolve into interconnected networks that collaborate with other AI agents to accomplish larger, more complex objectives. For example, in the context of smart cities, a network of AI agents could be responsible for traffic management, energy optimization, and public safety. These systems could work together to create a more efficient, automated urban environment, where everything from resource allocation to emergency response is handled by AI in real-time.
However, the success of these systems will depend on how well AI agents can complete their objectives while handling unexpected results or challenges. These agents will also need to effectively manage data, and users will have to be comfortable sharing sensitive information with AI systems. For instance, would you trust an AI agent with your financial or medical data? These are important questions that will shape the future of Agentic AI.
As Agentic AI becomes more prevalent, it will raise new ethical, legal, and philosophical questions. Who is responsible when an AI agent makes a mistake? Can an AI truly have agency without accountability? The challenges of ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI systems will become increasingly important. Governments and regulators will need to develop frameworks that address these concerns, particularly when it comes to sensitive data and the autonomy of AI.
Moreover, as AI systems take on more responsibilities, questions around their environmental impact will arise. Could Agentic AI be used to tackle global issues, such as climate change? Some envision a future where AI agents monitor ecosystems and recommend actionable solutions to combat environmental degradation.
Agentic AI is poised to revolutionize how we work, live, and interact with technology. While we’re still in the early stages, the progress made so far suggests that we are on the verge of a world where autonomous, decision-making robots will become a regular part of our daily lives. From healthcare to business to urban management, Agentic AI has the potential to reshape industries, improve efficiency, and free humans from many of the repetitive tasks we currently handle.
As we continue to advance, however, it will be crucial to navigate the ethical, legal, and philosophical challenges that come with increasing autonomy in AI. With the right regulations and considerations in place, Agentic AI could lead us into an era where robots and AI agents work alongside us, not just as tools, but as true partners in a rapidly evolving world.
By Impact Lab