From Generative AI to Agentic AI: The Next Big Technology Shift For Everyone & Everything!

In November 2022, ChatGPT broke records as the fastest-adopted technology in history, reaching over 100 million users in just two months. This was unequivocally the defining moment for Generative AI, a technology that enables users to create content — text, images, videos, and code — effortlessly. Its disrupting industries, from marketing to education, and transformed how we think about creativity and productivity.

However, as we step into 2025, yet another AI-enabled technology shift is upon us: Agentic AI. The key distinction between the two is that whist Generative AI creates, Agentic AI acts. It anticipates needs, makes decisions, and autonomously executes tasks, creating a massive shift in the role of AI for everyone and everything. Agentic AI will transform everything from core business operations to personal productivity and in the process will redefine how humans and technology interact, at scale.

Generative AI & Agentic AI: What Makes Them Different?

Generative AI: Empowering Creativity

Generative AI focuses on creation, enabling users to produce high-quality outputs based on prompts. Examples include:

• ChatGPT: Crafting essays, marketing copy, and even technical documentation.
• Midjourney: Generating photorealistic images from textual descriptions.
• Jasper AI: Assisting marketers with AI-generated content strategies.
• Sora: Cinematic video generation from text-based prompts.

Agentic AI: Redefining Proactivity

Agentic AI builds on this foundation, introducing autonomy and proactivity. As Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella recently stated in a much shared online presentation, it transforms AI from a tool into a partner:

• Autonomous Execution: AI agents proactively complete tasks without requiring constant input.
• Cross-Application Functionality: Unlike chatbots, which operate within defined boundaries, Agentic AI spans multiple platforms and systems to deliver cohesive solutions.
• Outcome-Driven Efficiency: It doesn’t just provide recommendations; it delivers results.

Practical Use Cases: Agentic AI In Action

1. ChatGPT’s Latest Agentic Push

OpenAI recently integrated scheduling reminders and managing recurring tasks into ChatGPT​. This evolution moves ChatGPT from being a conversational assistant to an autonomous task manager.

2. Retail and E-Commerce

• AI agents optimize product placements, create personalized shopping experiences, and manage inventory autonomously.

3. Software Development

• GitHub Copilot helps developers generate code snippets, automate repetitive coding tasks, and modernize legacy systems.

4. Insurance

• CAAVA VantagePoint AI from Kenya is automating claims processing, risk assessments, and customer engagement, reducing operational bottlenecks via their AI Agents for Africa’s insurance industry.

5. Human Resources

• AI agents streamline recruitment by screening resumes, scheduling interviews, and conducting initial candidate evaluations.

Business Implications of Agentic AI

As Microsoft’s Satya Nadella recently highlighted in his presentation , Agentic AI is a business disruptor:

1. Transforming SaaS Models: AI agents integrate across applications, replacing traditional software silos with outcome-focused systems.
2. Cost Efficiency: Automation reduces operational costs, enabling resource reallocation toward innovation.
3. Enhanced Decision-Making: AI agents analyze data in real-time, offering actionable insights that drive better strategies and outcomes.

Agentic AI In Kenya & Africa: Opportunities & Challenges

Africa has a history of embracing innovation, from M-Pesa for mobile money to advanced technology startups that now have a global footprint. Through Agentic AI, Kenyan and African organizations can:

• Enhance Service Delivery: Tools like Safaricom’s Zuri chatbot are evolving to handle complex customer service tasks autonomously.
• Revolutionize Agriculture: AI agents can provide farmers with weather predictions, pest control strategies, and real-time yield optimization.
• Improve Education: Personalized learning powered by AI agents on mobile devices can address educational gaps and improve outcomes for students.
• Advance Healthcare: Initiatives like Jacaranda Health’s PROMPTS AI platform demonstrate how AI can bridge gaps in maternal healthcare access across underserved areas of Kenya and Africa using low technology like SMS on feature phones.

However, realizing these opportunities requires addressing challenges like digital infrastructure, data privacy concerns, and ensuring ethical adoption.

Next Steps: Implementing Agentic AI in Organizations

To harness the potential of Agentic AI, organizations must take a strategic approach:

1. AI Readiness Assessment

Evaluate your organization’s readiness and identify gaps in skills, infrastructure, and data preparedness.

2. Define Goals

Pinpoint specific challenges or inefficiencies Agentic AI can solve, such as automating repetitive processes or improving customer experiences.

3. Develop a Strategy

Create a phased AI adoption plan that starts small with pilot projects and then scales successful initiatives across the organization.

4. Upskill Your Workforce

Equip teams with the knowledge to leverage AI tools effectively. Ongoing training is essential to align human expertise with AI capabilities.

5. Collaborate with Experts

Partner with organizations to develop and implement tailored AI solutions, from strategy to deployment​.

6. Establish Ethical AI Policies

Ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in how AI systems are used to maintain trust and integrity.

An Agentic AI Future Comes Into Focus

The transition from Generative AI to Agentic AI represents a significant shift in technology and society. It is no longer about what AI can create; it’s about what AI can do. For Kenya, Africa, and the world, Agentic AI offers an unprecedented opportunity to innovate, transform industries, and improve lives.