Agentic: The Power to Act in a World Shaped by Choice and Code
The word “agentic” is having a moment. Once used primarily in psychology and sociology to describe individuals who take purposeful action regardless of their circumstances, it now also rides the wave of technological transformation — evolving to describe a class of artificial intelligence that acts on its own, without direct human oversight. This dual meaning offers a fascinating opportunity to reflect on what it means to act freely — as people, and increasingly, as machines.
The Original Meaning: Human Agency
At its root, agentic describes someone who exercises agency — the capacity to make independent choices and act on them, even when the environment resists. Agentic people aren’t passive participants in their lives. They set intentions, overcome obstacles, and reshape their own narratives. The psychologist Albert Bandura popularized the term in his work on social cognitive theory, highlighting how humans are not just products of their circumstances — they are producers of change.
Self-belief does not necessarily ensure success, but self-disbelief assuredly spawns failure.
Albert Bandura
In today’s complex world — full of systemic challenges, digital overload, and social pressures — reclaiming an agentic mindset can feel radical. It asks us to remember that even when options seem limited, we still have the power to respond, create, and lead with intent.
The Emerging Meaning: Agentic AI
Enter a new layer: Agentic AI. In contrast to traditional AI, which waits for input and performs defined tasks, agentic AI takes initiative. These systems can autonomously plan, execute, and adjust their actions — often across multiple steps — to achieve goals. Think of AI tools that can manage entire workflows, optimize operations, or conduct research on your behalf, with little to no human prompting.
Examples include OpenAI’s AutoGPT or Boston Dynamics autonomous robotics systems that navigate unpredictable environments. These tools are reshaping how we define intelligence, decision-making, and even trust in machines.
The fictional C3PO from Star Wars inspires many children and adults, an imagined autonomous robotic system.
But this rise of agentic AI also raises important questions:
- What happens when machines have more autonomy than people in certain systems?
- How do we remain agentic as individuals in a world where technology increasingly acts on our behalf?
- Can AI enhance our agency, or will it replace it?
The Tension — and Opportunity — Between the Two
The coexistence of human and AI agency doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. If designed ethically and responsibly, agentic AI can support human agency, not diminish it. Imagine AI tools that handle repetitive tasks so you can focus on creativity. Or systems that help individuals with disabilities interact more freely with the world. In this way, agentic AI becomes a partner in expanding our own capacity to act.
However, there’s a cautionary edge. When we offload too much decision-making to machines, we risk becoming passive. The same systems built to serve us can subtly train us to stop thinking critically, questioning outcomes, or asserting our own values. The key is to stay conscious, even as our tools grow more powerful.
Conclusion: Stay Agentic
Whether we’re talking about people or programs, to be agentic is to act with intention. As AI systems become more capable and independent, we must do the same — defining the world we want to live in, and choosing tools that align with our purpose.
Joseph Dailey has been an agentic Financial and IT Project Manager since 2007 before the financial crisis. Now he is a Project Manager and maintains a portfolio as a product owner for his closed projects. He loves being outside with his wife and dog, volunteering, and messing with Linux.
