In the tech world, “agentic AI” refers to systems that don’t just respond to prompts—they can plan, act, and learn on their own. According to the AP News, this represents a shift from traditional generative AI chatbots (which mainly provide information) to autonomous agents that can break down broad goals into actionable tasks.
Major companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are investing heavily in this space. For instance, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is building AI agents that can handle multi-step processes and adapt their behavior over time, rather than just waiting for instructions. Microsoft is also building out its agentic AI capabilities through tools like Copilot Studio, enabling users to create agents that integrate deeply with business workflows.
But despite all the hype, experts warn that “agentic” is becoming a buzzword — blending real technical capability with marketing exaggeration. The concept of AI agents isn’t new: researchers have long studied systems that sense, reason, and act in environments. Still, the promise of AI behaving like an “autonomous teammate” is drawing fresh attention and heavy investment.
As these agents grow more capable, questions about safety, accountability, and governance are becoming more urgent. If AI systems can act independently, we need robust frameworks to ensure they behave ethically and reliably — especially when they start managing real-world tasks like scheduling, shopping, or even paying bills on our behalf.
