This article explores how Agentic AI is defined by a distinguishing set of competencies. Maturity models are excellent for quickly making sense of the distinctions between different stages of AI evolution. The characteristics that distinguish Agentic AI from traditional and generative AI are: Proactive Agency, Goal Orientation, Autonomous Decision-Making, Environmental Interaction, Persistent Operation, and Adaptive Behaviour. A crucial insight is that only stage four and five agent solutions qualify as agentic in terms of these distinguishing characteristics. Knowing what is best to focus on now is going to be a key influence in the race to be first. Understanding the agentic AI maturity model helps organizations develop accurate foundation understanding and make informed decisions about their AI roadmap.
