Agentic AI - how bots came for our workflows and drudgery | FT Working It

Agentic AI Overview - Agentic AI is described as AI that can perform multiple tasks and processes, potentially revolutionizing workplaces [1] - Gartner predicts a significant increase in Agentic AI adoption in the coming years [8] - The technology sector views Agentic AI as completely autonomous, requiring minimal human interaction to complete tasks like buying stock or interacting with customers [4] - Top tech firms have launched tools like Chat GPT agent, designed to complete complex tasks with minimal human instruction [5] Implementation & Strategy - Only 1% of companies report fully implementing their AI strategy, indicating early stages of adoption [8] - Nearly half of business leaders are planning a conservative investment in Agentic AI [9] - Companies are partnering with customers to refine AI use, often involving 50 to 100 customers testing systems at scale before market launch [24] Concerns & Challenges - There are concerns about job losses, job obsolescence, and privacy violations due to data scraping by AI agents [18] - The existence of truly autonomous AI is questioned, with current AI getting things wrong frequently [22][23] - The concept of "agentic washing" is highlighted, where companies may overstate the capabilities of Agentic AI to drive sales [20][21] - The high cost of AI research and development is noted, with revenue models still being developed [25][26] Impact on Workforce & Organizations - Agentic AI is expected to automate repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on creativity, complex judgment, and strategic thinking [12] - Experts suggest AI could disrupt traditional organizational charts, potentially replacing humans in certain roles [14] - There's a fear of missing out (FOMO) driving companies to adopt AI to avoid falling behind competitors [11] - Human ingenuity and creativity are still considered essential, suggesting humans won't be entirely replaced by AI [27][28]