Agentics: The next step in AI – Moving beyond Q&A to real action

You hear it everywhere: “AI is changing the way we work.” And for many people, this often means a question-and-answer experience... you ask AI something, get an answer, and carry on. Incredibly convenient and valuable, no doubt. But what if AI could do more? What if it didn’t just provide answers, but actively worked alongside us, automating processes and making proactive decisions?

This is where agentics comes into play. Agentics is about deploying smart, autonomous AI agents that can operate independently, learn from data, and take action without constant human intervention. It’s AI that not only reacts but also predicts and anticipates. Sounds a bit futuristic? Let me bring it closer to home with a concrete B2B story that illustrates the potential of agentics.

From reactive to proactive: A manufacturer that thinks ahead

Imagine a large B2B company... a manufacturer of complex industrial machinery used worldwide in various production environments. Customers of this manufacturer rely on these machines to run around the clock; downtime means lost production and added costs. Until now, maintenance has been mostly reactive: if something broke, the manufacturer would send a technician. But in today’s digital age, we know there’s a better way.

Meet the proactive maintenance agent

One of the first steps in this new approach was to deploy an AI agent that monitors machines 24/7, gathering data on usage, temperature, and even vibrations. This agent continuously analyzes the condition of each machine, and – here’s where the magic of agentics happens – it starts to recognize patterns that indicate potential issues. Let’s make it personal: take “Machine 42,” located in a factory somewhere in The Netherlands, the backbone of the production line. One evening, the AI agent detects a slight anomaly in the vibration frequency. Nothing extreme, but something that has previously been a precursor to a failure.

Now the agent springs into action. Without anyone needing to ask or click, this AI agent schedules a technician to visit the next morning. At the same time, it alerts the customer: “We’ve detected something that could become an issue. We’ll have someone on-site tomorrow to check it.” This proactive AI agent not only prevents a breakdown but also saves unexpected costs and the usual stress of a critical machine going offline. The work continues smoothly, without any manual intervention. And the customer? They experience seamless service as if it were always this effortless.

Strengthening client relationships with smart recommendations

But the story doesn’t stop there. Imagine this AI agent, based on everything it learns from all these machines, also offering recommendations that the manufacturer can proactively share with the customer. Perhaps the agent sees that a specific customer always needs extra capacity during peak periods. It sends a suggestion to the account manager: “This would be a good time to discuss an upgrade.” It’s no longer just a sales pitch but a solution based on data insights, creating real value for the customer. The conversation shifts from an offer to value creation, and the customer feels seen and understood.

Agentics in practice

Agentics isn’t just about automating processes; it’s about building relationships, creating trust, and adding value at a scale we once thought impossible. It’s the difference between responding to a problem and actively preventing it. And as we look to the future, more companies will make this shift – from reactive to proactive partners.

Where will your company stand?

This is where agentics now stands for me: an AI that doesn’t just work on a Q&A basis but is smart enough to add value independently.

Agentics shows us what’s possible when we see AI not just as a tool but as a proactive force within our organizations.