METANOWTwo related terms
An AI agent is a software component that works towards a task or goal using information and, where enabled, tools. Agentic AI describes the broader approach of giving a system some ability to choose and carry out steps. Industry usage varies; there is no universal naming boundary.
One agent can be enough
An agentic application can use a single agent. A multi-agent application adds specialised participants and coordination, but the extra hand-offs also add complexity. Having several chat personas alone does not establish useful autonomous behaviour.
A workflow is a different design choice
A workflow follows paths defined in code. An agent can select its own next steps within its permitted environment. Applications can combine both: a fixed approval workflow may contain an agent that researches a question.
Compare behaviour, not the label
Ask which steps are fixed, which are model-selected, what tools can change records, and when a human must approve. These details are more informative than whether a product calls itself an agent or agentic.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed 19 October 2026. This is a technology learning session; examples describe possible designs, not a claim that a particular integration is active.