In our last insight, we explored Agentic AI – what it is, how it works, how it differs from generative AI and what it can do for your business. (Missed it? Catch up here.)
Now, we’d like to talk through some practical guidance for how to adopt and implement this technology in your business.
This is an area in which we have considerable experience: Earlier this year, we leveraged agentic AI to create 3PO, an AI-powered system modernization tool we designed to modernize legacy software. We saw a problem – companies hindered by systems powered by decades-old code bases – and set out to solve it. In the process, we created a tool that does what normally takes years in a matter of weeks.
Agentic AI has the ability to handle complex workflows, automate cumbersome and time-consuming processes, and deliver significant results. We could not have brought 3PO to life without it. That’s how powerful AI can be for your business.
Now the question is, how do you get started?
Answer These Foundational Questions
Agentic AI is a tool, and so your first step is to determine where and how best to use it in your business. We recommend you start by asking yourself a few key questions.
- What is the business problem or opportunity?
This is your opportunity to identify where autonomous systems can provide value, such as streamlining processes or enhancing decision-making.
- What is the scope of autonomy?
What decisions does AI need to make, and what rules do you want to put in place? This question allows you to define the boundaries of the AI’s decision-making authority.
- What data and tools are available?
Agentic AI relies on data to train and sustain it. When you consider this question, take the time to assess the quality and accessibility of the data necessary to set agentic AI up for success.
- How will success be measured?
Undoubtedly one of the most important questions in all business decisions. Take the time now to establish KPIs and metrics to evaluate the system’s performance and impact.
- What risks need to be mitigated?
These risks could be ethical, operational or compliance-related. Conduct a thorough analysis and understand how to keep those risks from overwhelming the potential benefits.
- What is the required technical infrastructure?
What is your business working with in terms of computing power, APIs and integration capabilities? This information will help you understand if you have the technical foundation in place to support the incorporation of agentic AI. (If you aren’t sure what your business can handle, we can help.)
Best Practices for a Successful AI Integration
Although agentic AI is relatively new, there is still a lot we know about how to integrate it into your business and leverage it for successful business outcomes. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind:
| Start small | Pilot agentic AI in specific, controlled use cases before scaling up. |
| Combine human oversight with AI autonomy | Establish a structure where humans monitor the AI’s decisions, especially in critical domains. |
| Leverage modular design | Build systems with reusable, modular components for flexibility and scalability. |
| Prioritize explainability | Ensure the AI system’s decision-making process is transparent and easy to understand. |
| Continuous learning and feedback | Implement mechanisms for the AI to learn from its environment and adapt based on outcomes. |
| Secure and ethical design | Integrate robust security measures and adhere to ethical guidelines to prevent misuse or unintended consequences. |
Consider Proven Use Cases
Agentic AI is everywhere. You just might not know it’s there.
In the healthcare sector, for instance, hospital systems have used agentic AI to create autonomous patient monitoring systems that adjust care plans in real time, saving healthcare providers time and resources. Agentic AI has also been used to manage hospital resource allocation, streamlining a vital and highly complex process.
Financial services companies have leveraged agentic AI to create intelligent fraud detection systems that effectively remove humans from aspects of the fraud detection process. Agentic AI has also been used in the portfolio management process to manage fluctuations in the financial markets.
Ever heard of a smart factory? They exist, and they use agentic AI to facilitate predictive maintenance and production line optimization. The energy sector, too, is using AI agents for grid optimization, balancing supply and demand dynamically. And the transportation industry leverages agentic AI for autonomous logistics planning and fleet management.
Key Considerations for Agentic AI Implementation
Implementing agentic AI is not without risk, and it’s important for your organization to understand these risks and determine how to mitigate them.
First, there are ethical concerns to consider, and you must take steps to ensure your systems make decisions that align with human values and legal norms. There are also data privacy and security concerns, and companies must make sure their agentic AI systems are in compliance with all the necessary regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA. Given that we’re dealing with technology, there is also the potential for the technology to fail, and companies must take steps to plan for system failures in such a way that avoids disruption and potential harm.
Integrating new technologies and systems can also create challenges. You want to ensure your new systems play nicely with your existing ones and that your teams understand how these systems change the way they work. Make time for onboarding and training, and ensure agentic AI supports what you already have in place.
Lastly, agentic AI has the potential to save your business time, money and resources, but that’s not a guarantee. Make sure you understand the investment required and balance that against the anticipated benefits, particularly in the long term.
This may seem like a lot to consider, and it is. Agentic AI has garnered a lot of attention for its ability to streamline and simplify, but those benefits come with complexity. As a business, it’s important to understand the potential benefits and risks, as well as what’s involved in integrating artificial intelligence into your business, to ensure the best return on investment. This article is intended to set you on the right path.
Our team is extremely knowledgeable in this space and is happy to talk you through what agentic AI can do for you and your business – and how our team can help put your ideas into action.
