The rise of AI in enterprise settings is nothing new, but the latest evolution—Agentic AI—is fundamentally transforming how businesses operate. Unlike traditional AI tools that focus on analytics and recommendations, AI agents are autonomous systems that can take action, make decisions, and drive business outcomes without constant human oversight. As enterprises strive for greater efficiency and adaptability, AI agents are emerging as a game-changer.
This leap in AI capabilities is already delivering tangible results. According to our latest survey of 1,000 IT decision-makers (ITDMs) across the US, UK, Germany, and Australia, 90% of respondents report that their organizations are leveraging GenAI technologies as part of their IT strategy. Furthermore, 50% have already deployed AI agents, while another 32% plan to do so in the near future.
Driving productivity and efficiency
Organizations investing in AI agents are reaping significant benefits, from boosting productivity to cost savings. Take Spirent Communications, for example. The company deployed an AI-powered sales intelligence tool that consolidated and synthesized critical customer and competitive insights. Previously, sales teams spent over eight hours per week manually compiling this information. Within 90 days of deploying AI agents, business intelligence worker productivity rose by 25%, and sales productivity increased by 5%, resulting in an annual cost saving of $144,000.
AI agents are also making an impact in IT operations. Our research found IT teams currently spend an average of 16 hours per week managing AI technologies. By integrating AI agents, they anticipate saving 19 hours per week, allowing IT professionals to focus on innovation rather than routine troubleshooting.
Building trust in AI agents
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding AI agents, enterprises remain cautious. Security, compliance, and integration challenges are among the top concerns. The survey found that 60% of ITDMs cite data security and privacy as the primary barrier to AI adoption. Additionally, knowledge gaps and resistance to change pose challenges, with 29% of respondents noting a lack of employee understanding of AI capabilities.
However, trust in AI agents is steadily increasing. A remarkable 84% of ITDMs stated they trust AI agents as much as—or even more than—humans to perform specific tasks. This confidence is fueled by AI agents’ ability to execute tasks with precision, consistency, and scalability, reducing human error and improving decision-making across the enterprise.
The road ahead: scaling AI agent adoption
The rapid adoption of AI agents is evident in enterprise investment plans. On average, organizations expect to deploy an additional 30 AI agents in the next 12 months, with investment in AI agent technology averaging $2.56 million per company. Notably, Australian enterprises lead the charge, with projected AI investments averaging $3.15 million—higher than their counterparts in the US, UK, and Germany.
While the potential of AI agents is vast, successful adoption requires addressing integration barriers. Organizations must prioritize data security, modernize legacy infrastructure, and invest in employee education to ensure seamless AI adoption. Additionally, establishing an AI Center of Excellence can help guide deployment, define best practices, and align AI initiatives with business goals.
Unlocking the future of enterprise AI
Agentic AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s here, and it’s transforming enterprises across industries. From IT operations to finance and customer service, AI agents are streamlining workflows, enhancing decision-making, and delivering measurable business impact. Organizations that embrace AI agents today are positioning themselves for a smarter, more agile future.
Want to learn more about how organizations are planning for a future with agentic AI?
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