Agentic AI meaning

Agentic AI meaning refers to artificial intelligence systems that possess agency—the capacity to act independently, make autonomous decisions, and execute tasks without continuous human oversight or explicit instructions for each step. The term “agentic” derives from the concept of agency in cognitive science, emphasizing AI’s ability to set goals, plan strategies, and adapt behavior based on environmental feedback. Unlike traditional AI systems that respond reactively to inputs, agentic AI demonstrates proactive behavior, initiating actions to achieve defined objectives through reasoning, tool usage, and multi-step planning. This paradigm represents a fundamental shift from passive AI assistants to autonomous digital workers capable of handling complex workflows, managing exceptions, and collaborating with other systems or agents. Agentic AI systems maintain persistent memory, learn from experience, and exhibit goal-directed behavior while operating within established guardrails and constraints. The meaning encompasses both the technical capabilities of autonomous operation and the philosophical implications of AI systems that can act as independent agents within business processes and decision-making frameworks.