What is the difference between generative AI and agentic AI

What is the difference between generative AI and agentic AI lies in purpose and autonomy. Generative AI focuses on creating new content—text, images, audio, code—when prompted, stopping once the output is delivered. Agentic AI embeds one or more generative models inside an autonomous control loop that senses data, plans actions, calls external tools, and iterates toward a goal with minimal human input. Generative AI is a “creative engine” that answers, writes, or draws; agentic AI is a “decision-maker” that can schedule posts, place trades, or resolve tickets—often using generative AI for language or visuals along the way. Risk profiles differ: generative systems battle hallucinations and bias, while agentic systems add execution risks like mis-orders or compliance breaches, requiring safety layers and human-override policies. Together they form complementary layers: generative models provide content; agentic frameworks provide ongoing action.