The Rise of Agentic AI: Transforming Business with Autonomous Intelligence

AI agents are poised to revolutionize software development, cybersecurity, enterprise workflows, and business intelligence, experts say.

The Emergence of Agentic AI in Business

Agentic AI is gaining momentum as organizations recognize the value of autonomous AI agents in automating complex workflows and decision-making processes. Unlike traditional generative AI, which focuses on content creation, agentic AI emphasizes operational decision-making and execution. Named one of Forrester’s top emerging technologies for 2025, agentic AI is already being explored by industry leaders such as Aflac, Atlantic Health System, Legendary Entertainment, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Major tech companies are integrating agentic AI into their platforms. Salesforce has made it central to its strategy with the introduction of Agentforce, while ServiceNow has embedded AI agents into its Now Platform. Microsoft and other players are also making significant investments in the space.

With AI agents becoming more prevalent, businesses may struggle to identify the best starting points. Experts point to six key use cases where agentic AI is already proving its worth.

1. Software Development: AI-Powered Coding Assistants

Agentic AI is set to transform AI-driven coding assistants into sophisticated development tools that generate, review, and optimize code autonomously. While early AI-powered coding tools have received mixed reviews, Gartner predicts that within three years, AI agents will write the majority of software code, requiring software engineers to reskill and adapt.

"With DevOps toolchains already automating workflows, adding AI agents is a natural evolution," says Sheldon Monteiro, EVP and Chief Product Officer at Publicis Sapient. "These agents can autonomously reverse engineer specifications, generate test cases, and approve artifacts, significantly increasing automation."

2. Enhanced Process Automation: RPA on Steroids

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has long been used to handle repetitive tasks. Agentic AI takes automation further by integrating real-time decision-making capabilities, allowing businesses to streamline operations more effectively.

"With AI, RPA moves beyond rule-based actions to adaptable, autonomous processes, significantly enhancing efficiency across business operations," says Monteiro. "AI agents can handle exceptions and nuances that traditional RPA systems struggle with."

3. Customer Support: Smarter, More Adaptive AI Assistants

AI-driven chatbots have improved customer service, but agentic AI introduces an entirely new level of intelligence. These AI agents can understand context, handle complex inquiries, and resolve customer issues without human intervention.

"Agentic AI enables autonomous, reason-based, multi-step decision-making," says Glenn Nethercutt, CTO at Genesys. "Unlike basic chatbots, these AI agents can understand nuanced customer requests and take appropriate actions."

For instance, a bank customer could request: "Move money from my account with the highest balance to my checking account." Unlike traditional chatbots, AI agents can comprehend and execute such instructions by analyzing financial data in real time.

4. Streamlining Enterprise Workflows

As leading enterprise software vendors like Salesforce and ServiceNow embrace agentic AI, businesses can expect significant efficiency gains. AI agents can automate tasks such as converting meeting notes into project tickets or triggering supply orders based on demand forecasts.

Monteiro highlights the importance of integrating AI with enterprise data: "CIOs must decide who they trust to build their context store—the deep knowledge of how their enterprise functions. AI agents with access to comprehensive business data will drive unprecedented automation."

5. Cybersecurity and Threat Detection

Cybersecurity firms are leveraging AI agents to detect, respond to, and mitigate security threats in real time. AI-driven security protocols can dynamically adapt to emerging risks, providing businesses with more robust protection against cyberattacks.

"Agentic AI in cybersecurity can autonomously detect, react to, and mitigate security threats, significantly reducing response times," Monteiro explains. AI-driven cybersecurity also enables organizations to optimize security operations, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

6. Business Intelligence: AI-Driven Data Insights

Business intelligence (BI) has traditionally required specialized data teams to extract insights from dashboards. With agentic AI, businesses can democratize data analysis, enabling employees to access real-time insights through natural language queries.

"AI agents paired with BI solutions can provide actionable insights based on voice or text inputs," says Ryan Janssen, CEO at Zenlytic. "Instead of requiring a data scientist, an AI agent can instantly generate reports, identify trends, and suggest strategic actions."

For example, marketing teams can ask: "What are our top three customer acquisition channels?" AI agents can interpret ambiguous queries, refine them, and deliver precise insights.

The Future of Agentic AI in Business

Businesses are only beginning to explore the potential of agentic AI. As AI agents become more sophisticated, their applications will expand beyond current use cases.

"We haven't even scratched the surface of what AI agents can do," Janssen says. "As organizations integrate dozens of AI agents into cohesive systems, new breakthroughs will emerge."

As enterprises continue to experiment with agentic AI, those who strategically implement the technology early will gain a competitive edge. With the ability to automate complex workflows, improve decision-making, and enhance cybersecurity, AI agents are poised to redefine the future of business operations.