The agentic workflow: automation by autonomous agents
The agentic workflow (or “agentic workflow”) is an automation approach where autonomous agents – often AI – collaborate to accomplish complex tasks by following structured processes.
Main features
Agents in these workflows possess a certain decision-making autonomy. Rather than blindly following pre-programmed rules, they can analyze situations, make decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances. Each agent typically has specific roles and responsibilities, but can interact with other agents to exchange information or coordinate actions.
Typical operation
An agentic workflow decomposes a complex process into steps managed by different specialized agents. For example, in a customer service system, one agent could classify requests, another route them to the right services, and a third provide automated responses. The agents communicate with each other, share data, and can even negotiate or collaborate to resolve problems.
Common applications
These workflows are found in business process automation, supply chain management, financial trading systems, or multi-task AI assistants. They are particularly useful for processes that require flexibility and contextual decision-making.
The main advantage is the ability to create more robust and adaptable systems than traditional workflows, while maintaining a certain degree of predictability in the execution of tasks.