Agentic AI and Agentic Systems

What are Agentic AI and Agentic Systems? 

Agentic AI generally refers to the type of artificial intelligence that exhibits "agency." This means it has the capacity to act independently, make its own decisions, adapt to changing circumstances, and pursue goals without constant human oversight. It's a broad concept describing AI that is proactive and autonomous.

Agentic Systems often refers to the implementation or architecture of such AI. An agentic system is a broader framework that can incorporate one or multiple "AI agents" (which are individual components embodying agentic AI principles) to achieve complex tasks. These systems are designed to coordinate and manage these agents, allowing them to work together, delegate subtasks, and dynamically respond to workflows.

AI Guide

 

Agentic AI: A Checklist for Business Leaders

 

 

 

Download the Agentic AI Checklist for Business Leaders today!

The future of business is agentic, and the time to prepare is now. Don't get left behind as competitors harness the power of self-governing, intelligent systems.

This essential guide will equip you with the insights and actionable steps needed to:

  • Understand the core concepts of agentic AI and its profound implications for your industry.
  • Identify key opportunities to integrate agentic AI for enhanced efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage.
  • Strategize for responsible deployment, mitigating risks and maximizing ethical considerations.
  • Prepare your team and infrastructure to embrace this transformative technology with confidence.

 

AI Resources and Research

 

Agentic AI and Agentic Systems

 

 

The introduction of AISP marks a crucial next step in understanding and addressing the rapidly emerging challenges of the AI-driven enterprise.

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The world of AI is evolving at an incredible pace, moving beyond traditional automation to sophisticated, autonomous entities that are becoming integral to how businesses operate.

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Agentic systems represent a fundamental shift in how business and technology leaders must think about and support their technology-enabled business.

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The marketing landscape is perpetually shifting, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer behaviors. Today, we stand at the cusp of a significant transformation, fueled by the emergence of agentic AI.

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Agentic AI refers to AI systems that are capable of independent goal-setting and self-directed behavior. These systems can operate without human intervention, making decisions and taking action to achieve their objectives. This marks a significant shift from traditional AI, which typically focuses on performing specific tasks defined by humans.

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Betsy Burton, Vice President of Research and Aragon Fellow, is a seasoned AI architecture expert at Aragon Research. With a career spanning over three decades, Betsy has been a guiding force for numerous organizations in the public and private sectors. Her expertise lies in technology-enabled business strategies, business architecture, digital business transformation, enterprise architecture, and business capability modeling. Joining Aragon Research in 2019, Betsy is recognized for her profound knowledge in AI tools, strategies, and trends, making her an invaluable resource for Chief AI Officers, CIOs, and executives seeking informed guidance in the dynamic landscape of artificial intelligence.

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What are the frequently asked questions about Agentic AI and Agentic Systems?

What is Agentic AI?

Agentic AI refers to a type of artificial intelligence that possesses "agency," meaning it can act independently, make its own decisions, adapt to changing conditions, and pursue goals without needing constant human direction. It is proactive and autonomous by design.

What are Agentic Systems?

Agentic Systems are the practical frameworks that implement Agentic AI. These systems often incorporate multiple individual "AI agents" that work together, delegate tasks, and respond to complex workflows to achieve a larger business objective.

What is the main difference between Agentic AI and a simple chatbot?

A simple chatbot follows a script or a predefined set of rules. Agentic AI, however, is autonomous; it can set its own sub-goals and take proactive steps across different applications to resolve a complex request without a script.

How do Agentic Systems manage tasks?

Agentic Systems act as coordinators for multiple AI agents. They can break down a complex goal into subtasks, assign those tasks to the most appropriate agent, and manage their interaction to ensure the overall goal is met efficiently.

Why is Agentic AI considered the future of business?

According to Aragon Research, the future of business is agentic because these systems can handle complex "digital labor," driving unprecedented levels of efficiency, fostering innovation, and creating a significant competitive advantage.

Who is a key expert in the field of Agentic AI?

Betsy Burton, Vice President of Research and Aragon Fellow at Aragon Research, is a leading expert in AI architecture and strategy. She provides guidance to executives on implementing AI technologies like Agentic Systems.

Jim Lundy, founder and CEO is also one of the lead Analysts covering AI Agents and Agentic systems

What does it mean for an AI to have "agency"?

An AI with "agency" has the capacity to act on its own behalf. It is not just a passive tool but an active participant that can make choices and take actions to achieve its programmed goals.

How can a business leader prepare for the rise of Agentic AI?

Business leaders should start by understanding the core concepts of Agentic AI, identifying opportunities for integration, planning for responsible and ethical deployment, and preparing their teams and infrastructure for this transformative technology.

What is the Agentic AI Checklist for Business Leaders?

The "Agentic AI Checklist" is a guide from Aragon Research that gives business leaders the essential insights and actionable steps needed to successfully integrate self-governing, intelligent systems into their operations.

How will Agentic AI impact enterprise architecture?

Agentic AI requires a new approach to enterprise architecture. Architects must design robust and flexible frameworks that can support these dynamic, emerging systems and ensure they integrate securely with existing business processes.

What is meant by The Rise of Agentic Systems?

This phrase refers to the growing adoption of sophisticated, multi-agent AI frameworks by businesses to automate and manage complex digital workflows, effectively creating a new form of "digital labor."

Are there security platforms specifically for Agentic AI?

Yes. The emergence of autonomous agents has led to the development of Agentic Identity and Security Platforms or AISP. These are specialized solutions designed to manage, secure, and govern the actions of these digital identities. Note, Aragon Research just identified this as a new and growing category in June 2025.

Can Agentic AI systems learn and improve?

Yes, a fundamental characteristic of Agentic AI is its ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This includes learning from interactions and outcomes to improve its decision-making and performance over time.

How is Agentic AI different from traditional automation?

Traditional automation typically focuses on repetitive, rule-based tasks. Agentic AI is more advanced, capable of handling dynamic, multi-step processes that require independent decision-making and problem-solving.

What role does Agentic AI play in digital transformation?

Agentic AI is a powerful catalyst for digital transformation. It enables businesses to move beyond simple automation and build truly intelligent, autonomous operations that can fundamentally change how they create value.

Where can I find reliable research on Agentic Systems?

Aragon Research is a primary source for in-depth research on Agentic Systems, covering their increasing complexity, the management of digital labor, and the new security and architectural challenges they present.

What are the primary risks associated with deploying Agentic AI?

The main risks include the potential for autonomous systems to make errors, security vulnerabilities from independent agents, and ethical concerns. A strategy for responsible and ethical deployment is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How will Agentic AI affect the human workforce?

Agentic AI is expected to take over many complex digital tasks, creating a new category of "digital labor." This will shift the role of the human workforce toward more strategic oversight, handling exceptions, and focusing on creative and emotionally intelligent work.

What is an example of an Agentic System in action?

In a contact center, an agentic system could take a customer's email request to change a flight, independently access the airline's booking system, find a new flight, check the customer's loyalty status for a free upgrade, and email the new ticket back—all without human intervention.

Why is it urgent for businesses to understand Agentic AI now?

Competitors are already beginning to harness the power of Agentic AI. Businesses that delay in understanding and adopting this technology risk falling significantly behind in efficiency, innovation, and customer experience. One large Advertising Agency has indicated that it already has over 16,000 AI Agents in production, so this by the sheer volume of AI Agents, puts others on notice.