AI in business has the potential to improve a wide range of processes and business areas, particularly when the organization takes an AI-first approach.
Over the next five years, businesses will accelerate AI adoption by focusing on areas where technology is evolving rapidly, including digital working, IT automation, security, sustainability and application modernization. A key driver of this growth will be the rise of agentic AI and AI agents.
Agentic AI is the next frontier: autonomous systems capable of reasoning, planning, and executing complex tasks with minimal human oversight. Unlike traditional AI, which relies on prompts or follows predefined workflows, AI agents can set their own goals, develop strategies, adapt to new information, and make independent decisions. They function more as autonomous collaborators than as tools.
For businesses, AI agents offer significant benefits. They can manage end-to-end processes, operate around the clock, and execute decisions at a speed and scale far beyond human capabilities, all while enforcing consistent policies and best practices. They are a powerful force that enables organizations to operate more efficiently, smarter and more resilient.
Ultimately, the success of new AI technologies will depend on data quality, data management architecture, core models, and reliable and transparent governance. With these elements – and practical, business-focused goals – leaders and their teams can realize the scalable benefits of using AI in business.