Understanding Agentic AI

The term “agentic AI” refers to artificial intelligence systems that exhibit a level of autonomy previously unachievable. Unlike traditional AI, which often assists in tasks through guided prompts, agentic AI operates with a high degree of independence, capable of setting goals, making decisions, and adapting to changing scenarios without human intervention. This concept, linked to agency in psychology, emphasizes control and the ability to handle tasks autonomously.

AI expert Andrew Ng has been credited with popularizing the term, highlighting its application in creating AI systems that can act independently across complex environments. Gartner predicts a dramatic rise in agentic AI adoption, estimating that by 2028, 33% of enterprises will integrate this technology, up from less than 1% in 2024.

Addressing Workplace Productivity Challenges

Despite advancements in AI, many employees still face significant productivity challenges, spending excessive time searching across siloed information systems. A study by Forrester reveals that knowledge workers dedicate 30% of their work hours to locating information, with 80% prioritizing the need to reduce these silos.

Agentic AI promises to help tackle these issues by improving information access and automating routine tasks. Traditional use cases of AI often fall short, especially in handling complex queries that require synthesis across multiple applications. Here, agentic AI can bridge the gaps, allowing for more seamless operations across different enterprise environments.

Innovative Solutions: Kore.ai’s AI for Work

A pivotal announcement at AWS re:Invent was Kore.ai’s introduction of “AI for Work,” a platform designed to enhance workplace efficiency through intelligent enterprise search, workflow automation, and multi-agent orchestration. This solution aims to transform how organizations harness AI to streamline operations and improve productivity.

Kore.ai’s CEO, Raj Koneru, emphasized that “this isn’t just another tool – it’s a fundamental transformation in how enterprises harness AI.” Early adopters of the platform reported enhancements such as 30-50% faster information retrieval and increased productivity.

• Includes prebuilt AI agents and templates for common workflows.
• Over 100 integrations with existing enterprise systems.
• Facilitates seamless task execution through a universal orchestrator, enhancing context-aware interactions.

Benefits for C-Suite Leaders

With tools like AI for Work, decision-making becomes streamlined, allowing companies to better analyze data and improve operations. By leveraging intelligent tools that require minimal technical knowledge, enterprises can harness the full potential of agentic AI.

For example, sales teams can instantly retrieve comprehensive support histories or data across various systems with simple requests. This capability leads to enhanced responsiveness and collaboration while minimizing the friction commonly associated with data access.

The Evolving AI Landscape

Industry leaders like Salesforce and Microsoft are also venturing into agentic AI. Salesforce’s Agentforce, for instance, offers autonomous AI agents that enhance efficiency in service, sales, and marketing. Similarly, Microsoft’s advancements in agentic tech, particularly in their Microsoft 365 Copilot, aim to redefine productivity standards across teams.

Marc Benioff, Salesforce Chairman and CEO, emphasized a collaborative approach is vital for harnessing the full benefits of agentic AI. This multi-stakeholder strategy involves businesses, governments, nonprofits, and academia working together to create guidelines for responsible AI implementation.

Conclusion: Entering the CaaS Era

The integration of agentic AI alongside generative AI is creating an unparalleled era of workplace optimization. With this technology, enterprises can effectively address complex challenges, enhance productivity, and gain a competitive advantage. As the C-suite faces increasing pressure to stay ahead, embracing these innovations will be critical for future success.

The age of Competitiveness-as-a-Service (CaaS) is upon us, urging organizations to adapt quickly and leverage these new capabilities for enduring growth and transformation.