In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), agentic AI is gaining significant attention for its potential to address complex challenges more effectively. In the March 5, 2025 episode of the Artificial Intelligence Podcast, Diane Gutiw, Vice-President and Global AI Research Lead, discusses the emerging field of agentic AI, its importance and its benefits.

Agentic systems are ecosystems where multiple AI agents work together, each designed for a specific task but capable of collaborating to provide comprehensive solutions. According to Diane, the most compelling use case for agentic systems is its ability to enhance reliability and security. By integrating agents that validate information and cross-check data from various sources, these systems function as powerful fact checkers, increasing the accuracy of results. Additionally, they can assist in areas like security, privacy and data integrity. Offering more than just raw data, agentic AI provides actionable insights that help organizations make better-informed decisions.

Diane emphasizes that the evolution from retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to agentic systems highlights the increasing complexity of AI solutions. RAG was effective in retrieving information from documents and data, but it often lacked the capability to validate or present the data in a usable way. Agentic systems, however, can take over tasks like fact-checking and formatting, making the output more useful. This shift shows that AI is moving beyond just answering questions—it’s becoming a collaborative tool that can provide more accurate and reliable solutions, especially for business decision-making.

However, Diane notes that the adoption of agentic systems is still in its early stages. While there are many proofs of concept and pilots underway, organizations are cautious about moving these systems into production. Challenges like security, privacy and the integration of AI governance are significant barriers. Companies need to ensure that AI solutions comply with legal and organizational standards while delivering reliable outcomes.

Agentic AI is poised to revolutionize industries by making AI more collaborative, reliable and effective. As organizations continue to explore its potential, the next step is ensuring these systems are integrated thoughtfully, addressing security, compliance and governance challenges to maximize value. Diane's insights demonstrate the exciting possibilities of agentic AI and the need for a strategic approach to implementation.

Listen to the full podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Artificial Intelligence Podcast is hosted by AI, machine learning and data science expert, Dr. Tony Hoang, with over 350,000 listeners across all platforms, most of whom are C-suite executives, vice-presidents and directors.