Agentic AI: A New Era of Technology and the Lessons from the Past (1 of 3)
A new 3 part series on agentic ai and the implications
Introduction to the Agentic AI Series
The world of technology is at a turning point. Over the past few decades, we’ve witnessed transformative shifts—the early internet connecting people to information, the app revolution redefining interactivity, and now, the emergence of agentic AI. These intelligent systems, capable of performing tasks autonomously, promise to revolutionize the way we interact with technology. However, with such immense potential comes significant responsibility.
In this three-part series, we’ll explore agentic AI as the next step in our technological evolution. Drawing on lessons from past revolutions, we’ll examine how to navigate the challenges and opportunities it presents:
Agentic AI: A New Era of Technology and the Lessons from the Past: This article sets the stage by exploring how agentic AI builds on patterns from the web and app revolutions.
Centralized AI Infrastructure and the Rise of Tech Oligarchy: A Double-Edged Sword: We dive into the risks of power concentration in the hands of a few tech giants and its implications for innovation and competition.
Talent Displacement and Workforce Evolution: Finally, we tackle the impact of agentic AI on jobs, exploring how the industry can prepare for significant talent shifts.
This series is not just about understanding what agentic AI can do but about shaping how it integrates into our lives, our work, and our future. Let’s embark on this journey together.
Article 1 - A New Era of Technology and the Lessons from the Past:
Having spent over twenty years in the tech industry, I’ve had a front-row seat to some of the most significant technological transformations. From the infancy of the internet to the rise of the app economy, I’ve seen firsthand how these shifts have not only reshaped industries but also profoundly impacted technology teams and the careers of individuals. Each wave brought new opportunities and challenges, redefining how we work, live, and interact with the world around us.
Today, we stand at the threshold of another such transformation: the era of agentic AI. These intelligent systems, capable of acting as proactive assistants to perform complex tasks for their users, represent the next evolution of technology. But like every technological leap, the emergence of agentic AI carries lessons from the past and introduces new challenges that we must address to ensure this shift is as inclusive and beneficial as possible.
The Natural Evolution: From Web 1.0 to Apps to AI Agents
To understand agentic AI, it helps to view it as a natural progression of the internet and app revolutions. The Web 1.0 era marked the beginning—static websites and simple search engines provided access to information but left users as passive consumers. Then came the app revolution, which brought interactivity, personalization, and functionality to the forefront. Apps connected us to services, streamlined workflows, and redefined user experiences, empowering both individuals and businesses.
Agentic AI builds on this trajectory but takes a significant leap forward. Imagine a world where an AI assistant doesn’t just connect you to services but autonomously handles them for you. Need to book a trip? Your assistant compares options, books flights, and even schedules your itinerary. Managing finances? It analyzes spending patterns, flags anomalies, and ensures payments are made. These AI-powered agents promise to make our lives more efficient, but they also demand we learn from the past.
Learning from the App Revolution
The app era wasn’t without its growing pains. From overhyped promises to fragmented ecosystems, there were lessons that must guide the development of agentic AI:
Aligning with User Behavior: Apps shaped user expectations for intuitive and seamless interactions. Agentic AI must do the same, integrating naturally into workflows rather than forcing users to adapt.
Privacy and Trust: Missteps in data handling during the app era undermined trust. Agentic AI must prioritize transparency and accountability to avoid similar pitfalls.
Avoiding Silos: The early app ecosystem often operated in isolation, limiting its potential. Similarly, AI agents must emphasize interoperability, enabling them to work cohesively across platforms and services.
Looking to the Future
While agentic AI feels like a natural evolution, it introduces new complexities. For one, its infrastructure is concentrated in the hands of a few tech giants, unlike the app revolution, which empowered small developers and fostered widespread innovation. Will this centralization stifle competition or lead to more tightly controlled ecosystems?
Moreover, the shift from apps to AI assistants poses profound implications for the workforce. Entire categories of apps may vanish, replaced by AI systems capable of delivering their functionality at the click of a button. The disruption could ripple through the tech industry, displacing developers, designers, and engineers who once built and maintained these apps.
A Cliffhanger: What’s Next for Agentic AI?
These are the questions that will shape the future of agentic AI. In the next two articles, we’ll dive deeper into these challenges:
Centralized AI Infrastructure: Unlike the app ecosystem, which empowered small players, agentic AI risks concentrating power within a few companies. We’ll explore the societal and competitive implications of this shift.
Talent Displacement and Workforce Evolution: Just as the Industrial Revolution displaced lower-skilled workers, agentic AI threatens to disrupt high-tech roles. How can we prepare for this wave of job displacement and ensure a sustainable future for the industry?
The era of agentic AI is here. How we navigate this moment will define the trajectory of technology for decades to come. Stay tuned as we continue this exploration of one of the most transformative shifts in our time.