Agentic AI
Agentic AI refers to AI systems that can take sequences of actions, use tools, and pursue goals autonomously over extended time horizons — beyond single-turn question-and-answer interactions. In manufacturing, Agentic AI would initiate change orders, query multiple data sources, generate engineering documentation, and route work through approval workflows without human intervention at each step. As of 2026, Agentic AI in manufacturing is in prototype and pilot stages; production deployment of agents that can autonomously initiate and execute engineering changes is not yet widespread.
Why it matters
Agentic AI moves AI beyond answering questions and into executing engineering workflows. For PLM practitioners, the practical implication is that repetitive multi-step tasks — checking a BOM for compliance, triaging a set of simulation failures, routing a change order — can be delegated to an autonomous agent that interacts with PLM, MES, and ERP systems directly. The architectural shift MCP enables is what makes those agents reliable and auditable rather than brittle and opaque.
Related concepts
External References
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent
- anthropic.com/research/building-effective-agents
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_agent
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence
- anthropic.com/research
- arxiv.org/search/?searchtype=all&query=agentic+AI
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system
- ieee.org/publications
- acm.org/publications
- nist.gov/publications
- iso.org/standard/84143.html
This term appears in
- Top AI Copilots for Manufacturing 2026: What's Real and What's Marketing
- Future Horizons: Model Context Protocol (MCP) and Autonomous Systems in Manufacturing PLM
- Bridging the Gap: Making Agentic AI Practical in Today's PLM Reality
- The Agentic AI Revolution: Reimagining PLM as a Flexible Microservices Ecosystem
- What is an AI Copilot in PLM?
- What Is Agentic PLM? How AI Agents Are Changing Product Lifecycle Management
Cite this definition
Finocchiaro, Michael. “Agentic AI.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/agentic-ai