What exactly are AI Agents, and why is everyone talking about them?
The term “agent” comes from the Latin word “agere,” meaning “to act.” Simply put, an AI agent is a system that acts autonomously—sensing its environment, making decisions, and executing tasks without continuous human intervention. While agentic systems like driverless cars, robotic process automation (RPA), and thermostats have existed for years, the rise of advanced large language models (LLMs) is redefining what these agents can achieve.
A New Era of Intelligence
Today’s AI agents, powered by large language models, possess the capability to understand objectives, interpret context, and strategically plan actions. This evolution is transforming them from basic task-executors into sophisticated assistants capable of automating complex workflows, enhancing productivity, and augmenting human decision-making.
This Week in Agentic AI: Key Breakthroughs and Industry Shifts
China’s Manus AI: A Potential Game-Changer?
Monica’s newly launched Manus AI, described as the world’s first fully autonomous AI agent, is designed to independently manage multi-step tasks like market research and apartment hunting. A strategic partnership with Alibaba’s Qwen team adds credibility, but early tests by MIT Technology Review highlight Manus’s need for further refinement, positioning it currently as more of a “smart intern” rather than a revolutionary breakthrough.
OpenAI Expands the AI Agent Ecosystem
OpenAI introduced its new Responses API and Agents SDK, significantly simplifying the creation of autonomous AI agents. These tools allow agents to autonomously browse the web, analyse data, and execute deep research tasks. Notably, OpenAI’s move aligns with its rumoured plan to offer a high-end AI agent subscription priced at $20,000 per month—signalling a strong commitment to enterprise-grade AI solutions.
Major Industry Moves
ServiceNow’s Strategic Investment
ServiceNow acquired Moveworks for $2.85 billion, merging powerful AI assistant and enterprise search technologies with ServiceNow’s existing capabilities. The Yokohama platform update further reinforces ServiceNow’s comprehensive vision, providing preconfigured agents for CRM, HR, and IT workflows.
Oracle’s Comprehensive AI Integration
Oracle’s Larry Ellison announced extensive integration of AI agents across its Fusion Cloud applications. With dozens of agents already deployed and over 50 more planned, Oracle aims to solidify its leadership position in enterprise AI, directly competing with major players like Salesforce and ServiceNow.
Sector-Specific Impact
Retail: Enhancing Customer Experiences
Lowe’s collaboration with OpenAI birthed ‘Mylow,’ an AI assistant guiding customers through home improvement projects while integrating direct purchasing options. TIRECRAFT Waterloo saw immediate ROI with an AI agent generating $15,000 in sales within its first month, exemplifying agentic AI’s potential in retail.
Finance: Streamlining Compliance
RegASK’s new Agentic AI streamlines regulatory compliance by automating alerts and impact assessments. Norm Ai also secured substantial funding ($48 million) to further develop AI-driven compliance solutions, significantly reducing manual processing time and improving accuracy.
Energy: Accelerating Industry Innovation
AIQ secured a significant $340 million contract to implement agentic AI in seismic analysis and geological modelling, potentially reducing processes from months to mere days, showcasing AI’s transformative power in the energy sector.
Marketing: Personalised Campaigns at Scale
Netcore Cloud’s nine specialised Agentic AI agents allow marketers to automate complex tasks like content creation and analytics, drastically improving efficiency and enabling highly personalised campaigns.
Healthcare: Revolutionising Patient Care
blueBriX introduced an AI Agent Marketplace focused on healthcare, enhancing operational efficiency, automating administrative duties, and improving patient engagement.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite its promise, agentic AI poses significant privacy and security concerns. Signal president Meredith Whittaker highlights the deep data access required by these agents, raising critical privacy risks. Furthermore, as Built In notes, broader system access introduces potential security vulnerabilities requiring robust governance frameworks and continuous monitoring.
Integration also remains a challenge, with industry leaders seeking clearer guidance and practical case studies before committing extensive resources.
Latest Research Insights
Recent research papers, ProjectEval and ReviewAgents, address critical gaps in evaluating AI agents’ coding capabilities and automating academic reviews. These advancements highlight ongoing efforts to improve reliability and accuracy in AI-driven workflows.
Analyst Predictions: Preparing for the Future
According to Forrester, agentic AI represents the next competitive frontier, offering significant advantages to early adopters who strategically navigate potential risks. Gartner’s forecast further emphasises this trend, predicting that by 2028, 33% of enterprise applications will include agentic AI, automating up to 15% of daily decisions—up from less than 1% in 2024.
Agentic AI is not just emerging—it’s here, rapidly transforming industries, redefining business strategies, and shaping our collective future. At AI Cyber Solutions, we closely monitor these developments, guiding our clients to leverage agentic intelligence strategically and securely.