Agentic Process Automation
Search documents
Is Agentic Process Automation a Lever for Operating Leverage at C3.ai?
ZACKS· 2026-01-13 17:00
Core Insights - C3.ai, Inc. introduced Agentic Process Automation in Q2 FY26, significantly expanding the deployment and scaling of enterprise AI applications [1][7] - The new offering allows for encapsulation of full business and industrial processes through autonomous AI agents, which can be defined in natural language and deployed rapidly [1] - This launch is seen as a major enhancement to the operational use cases supported by the platform, moving enterprise AI from experimentation to production environments [1][4] Product Development - Agentic Process Automation operates across multiple data sources, systems, and workflows, contrasting with traditional robotic process automation (RPA) that relies on rigid routines [2] - The platform supports broader enterprise workflows by enabling automation at the process level rather than just the task level, without altering the core architecture [2] Market Strategy - The new automation capability fits within C3.ai's existing go-to-market model, with initial production deployments serving as the primary entry point for customers [3] - Management indicated that the agentic automation does not change customer conversion timelines or monetization mechanics, but is an incremental capability that can be layered onto existing deployments [3] Future Outlook - C3.ai views Agentic Process Automation as part of a broader roadmap to transition enterprise AI into a core operating capability that delivers measurable economic value [4] - While no immediate financial impact was quantified, the contribution of agentic automation will depend on customer adoption and execution as deployments progress [4] Financial Performance - C3.ai's shares have declined 25.5% over the past three months, compared to a 4.9% decline in the industry [5] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 6.15, significantly below the industry average of 15.95 [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for C3.ai's fiscal 2026 loss per share has widened, with projections indicating a 192.7% year-over-year plunge in earnings [11][12]