What are the differences between AI + Automation and AI Automation + Agentic AI?
Agentic AI is set to be the next trend in 2025, however, for those unfamiliar with AI, t’s easy to get lost in the buzzwords. Terms like AI, automation, AI automation, and agentic AI are tossed around as if they’re interchangeable, but they’re not! Each has its unique meaning, purpose, and capabilities. If you’re scratching your head trying to make sense of it all, don’t worry. This guide will break it down for you and help you understand the pros and cons of each, all while keeping it simple and beginner-friendly.
1. What is AI?
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is the big brain behind systems that can "think" and "learn." Think of AI as software designed to mimic human intelligence. It can analyse data, recognize patterns, and make decisions with little to no human intervention.
AI has a number of pros. For example, tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini can help with customer service, content generation, and even coding, they improve over time with exposure to new data and they have flexible applications from healthcare to marketing, AI can be applied in almost any field.
However, they can be complex as AI tools might need a lot of data and tweaking to perform well, advanced AI solutions can be expensive for smaller teams and there are ethical concerns such as bias and misuse of AI remain concerns.
2. What is Automation?
Automation is like the reliable, hardworking robot on an assembly line. It follows a set of instructions to perform repetitive tasks, saving humans a lot of time and effort. However, it doesn’t "think" or "learn" like AI. It follows the command: if X, then Y.
Automation is fairly straightforward where you can use tools like Zapier or IFTTT to make it easy to connect apps and automate workflows, it’s cost-effective as basic automation solutions are affordable and accessible and it’s perfect for repetitive, rule-based tasks like sending reminders or updating spreadsheets.
But, it’s rigid - it can’t adapt if something unexpected happens, in addition, it’s task-specific and doesn’t learn or grow like AI and it’s rule-based, meaning break a rule, and the whole system might crumble.
3. What is AI Automation?
Now, let’s mix AI with automation—voilà, you’ve got AI automation! It’s where AI’s "smarts" meet automation’s efficiency. This combo powers systems that not only automate repetitive tasks but also adapt and make decisions based on data.
For automation, we had if X, then Y. But AI automation is different, the sequence is, if X then follow a list of steps. There are tools that do this really well such as Gumloop.
This approach is simple and adaptive, think customer service bots like Intercom that improve over time, it saves costs as it reduces human workload while improving speed and accuracy and it’s a scalable approached - perfect for businesses looking to handle complex workflows.
However, they can be complex to set-up as implementing and maintaining these systems can be challenging, high-end AI automation tools can stretch your budget and like AI, it needs lots of good-quality data to work well.
4. What is Agentic AI?
Agentic AI is the cool new kid on the block. Think of it as AI with autonomy—software that doesn’t just follow commands but proactively pursues goals. It can make its own decisions, assess risks, and adapt to new challenges without constant human guidance. With automation it needs ‘if X’ but AI agents only require a goal and it will figure it out and self-correct if it comes up against any barriers.
Autonomy is a benefit as these tools can operate independently in dynamic environments. They have a lot of innovation potential as they open the door to groundbreaking applications, like robotics and they’re flexible, which is great for solving complex, evolving problems.
But, there are ethical dilemmas: Who’s responsible if it makes a bad decision? The stakes are high as mistakes can have significant consequences in critical areas like healthcare, law or transportation, there needs to be explainability and they can be expensive as cutting-edge technology comes with a high price tag.
Which Should You Choose?
The right tool depends on your goals and resources:
For simple, repetitive tasks: Start with basic automation tools like Zapier or Microsoft Power Automate.
For data-driven insights: Explore AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google Cloud AI.
For combining efficiency and intelligence: Look into AI automation tools such as Salesforce Einstein, Claude Computer Use, BabyAGI or UiPath.
For advanced, independent applications: Consider investing in agentic AI, but only if you have the budget and expertise to manage it.
Start Small
Understanding the differences between AI, automation, AI automation, and agentic AI can help you make smarter decisions about the tools you choose. Start small, experiment with beginner-friendly tools, and scale up as you grow more comfortable. Remember, you don’t need to know everything right away—every expert was once a beginner, just like you!
If you’re interested in having a bespoke Hackathon or Hack Day run for your business to identify use cases for the above tools, email me: chloe@sharp-insight.co.uk.
Got any questions? Drop them in the comments below—I’m here to help. 😊
