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What is Agentic AI?
Agentic AI is AI that acts on its own to reach a goal, making plans and taking steps instead of only answering questions.
- Category Agents & tools
- Also called agentic
- Updated 20 Oct 2026
Agentic AI, explained simply
The word agentic describes AI that has some independence. It decides what to do next and uses tools to do it.
It sits between a simple chatbot and a fully self-running system. You set the goal, and you can still review the work.
An example is a tool that reads your inbox, drafts replies and asks you to approve them.
On ITG Now, our daily AI news stories and tool guides use agentic to describe tools that take actions for you.
Related terms
AI agentTool callingMulti-agent systemWorkflow automationGuardrailsMCP
Where you'll see it on ITG Now
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Questions people ask about Agentic AI
Agentic AI vs generative AI: what is the difference?
Generative AI creates content. Agentic AI uses that ability to plan and take actions toward a goal.
Is agentic AI risky?
It can be, because it acts. Limit its access, keep a human in the loop and check results.