Notepad was to Word Processing what Generative AI will be to Agentic AI - are we ready?

Remember Notepad? Maybe it still pops up as a default when you attempt to open a .txt file.

Not much more functionality than a blank sheet of paper fed into a typewriter.

Font? Color? Formatting? Spell check? Autocorrect?

You’ll get courier in black and white and like it!

Yet like the humble typewriter, there’s a simple elegance, even nostalgia, to Notepad.

When is the last time you actually used Notepad, not to mention a typewriter?

Imagine if all of your word processing and e-mail communications were limited to the functionality of Notepad.

That’s where we are with generative AI today. Single-purpose utility.

Got a question? Maybe get a useful summary or ‘best guess’ predictive answer from ChatGPT.

Got an image? With some creative prompting you might get some interesting, amusing, even potentially useful output from DALL·E 3.

Relatively basic.

Now imagine an integrative platform, powered by artificial intelligence.

That’s the potential of agentic AI.

In September Forbes contributor Bernard Marr highlighted agentic AI as the next big thing in artificial intelligence in his article, “Agentic AI: The Next Big Breakthrough That's Transforming Business And Technology”

This innovative technology is not just another industry buzzword; it's a paradigm shift that's poised to redefine the boundaries of AI capabilities.

At its core, agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that possess a degree of autonomy and can act on their own to achieve specific goals. Unlike traditional AI models that simply respond to prompts or execute predefined tasks, agentic AI can make decisions, plan actions, and even learn from its experiences – all in pursuit of objectives set by its human creators.

Think of agentic AI as a digital assistant on steroids. Instead of just answering your questions or performing simple tasks, it can take initiative, solve complex problems, and adapt its approach based on changing circumstances. It's like having a tireless, hyper-intelligent intern who not only follows your instructions but also anticipates your needs and comes up with creative solutions you might never have considered.

Instead of a “digital assistant on steroids,” or an intern, as Marr posits, imagine agentic AI in the hands of a seasoned management consultant. A person or a team with a breadth of experience that ranges from innovation to strategic planning, transformation and operational efficiency. This trusted advisor could quickly model and accelerate business strategy from crawl to walk to run, and iterate quickly.

Perhaps a transportation analogy is more appropriate than Notepad.

If legacy is walking, technologies powered by agentic AI are on autopilot.

Harnessed for good, consider the implications of this technology for producivity and access.

Harnessed for eivil, consider this technology's potential to exploit and harm.