What is Agentic AI? The 2026 Definition & Examples
The era of "Chat" is ending. The era of "Action" has begun. Agentic AI refers to AI systems that can pursue complex goals with limited human supervision.
Passive vs. Agentic
- Passive AI (ChatGPT): You ask a question. It gives an answer.
- Agentic AI (Devin 2.0): You give a goal ("Build a website"). It writes code, debugs errors, and deploys it.
Core Characteristics
- Agency: The ability to make decisions.
- Tool Use: Access to APIs, browsers, and terminals.
- Memory: Remembering past actions to optimize future ones.
Real World Examples
- Neon Hire: Uses agentic workflows to interview candidates, score them, and schedule follow-ups automatically.
- FixMyCar AI: Analyzes photos, searches part databases, and orders the replacement part.