Infographic

Chat-Based vs. Agentic AI

The difference between AI that answers when asked and AI that takes a goal and executes.

Key Insight

If someone asked you do define “Agentic AI” what would you say?

I asked 30+ senior execs on our last Executive Roundtable.

Azeeza Sunmonu, Global Head of ComEx at Mundipharma, provided the best metaphor for agentic AI I've heard all year:

"Chat-Based AI is like asking an experienced chef how to make a recipe. Agentic AI checks the fridge, buys the ingredients, cooks it, and plates it."

To put it simply: Chat-Based AI helps humans to produce outputs.

Agentic AI helps humans get machines to produce outputs.

Agents are getting increasingly more sophisticated at:

• Taking actions • Coordinate systems • Trigger workflows • Follow rules • Make decisions • Build plans • Execute tasks

The distinction matters because most people are using AI as an assistant, not building true agentic AI workflows.

The leaders pulling ahead aren't using AI just as a smarter search engine, information summarizer, or thinking partner.

They're building systems that run can without them.

More one-look frameworks are published to the library as they're finished.