What is Agentic AI?
AI that operates autonomously over extended tasks, making decisions without step-by-step human direction.
Definition
Agentic AI refers to AI systems designed to operate with a high degree of autonomy — executing multi-step plans, adapting to intermediate results, and pursuing goals across extended time horizons. The term contrasts with conversational AI (which responds turn-by-turn) and workflow automation (which follows a fixed script). Agentic AI systems can self-direct, use tools, and handle unexpected situations.
Example
An agentic AI research system is given the goal 'find everything our competitors published this week' — it decides which sources to check, how to evaluate relevance, and how to format the output, without being told each step.
Agentic AI vs chatbot: What's the difference?
AI that operates autonomously over extended tasks, making decisions without step-by-step human direction.
ChatGPT is conversational AI. Agentic AI takes extended autonomous action toward a goal.