AI Agents, Agentic AI, and Autonomous AI: Are They the Same?

A few weeks ago, I published an article titled “AI Agents vs Agentic AI: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?” on Medium, and it made a much bigger splash than I expected.

The post garnered over 17k views, countless comments, reposts, and mentions across platforms. Even more exciting, it’s currently ranked #1 on Google for this topic! 🔥

According to Google Trends, interest in this subject is heating up and shows no signs of slowing down. But what really stood out was the intense discussion (and let’s be honest, some controversy) around the definitions of AI Agents, Agentic AI, and even Autonomous AI. Clearly, this topic struck a chord — and, in some cases, a nerve.

The article aimed to simplify these concepts, but the feedback showed me that the conversation is far from simple. Many readers shared insightful, and sometimes opposing, perspectives. Others challenged my framing outright, raising excellent points that deserve a deeper dive.

So here we are.

This follow-up article is dedicated to addressing your comments, clearing up confusion, and exploring the nuances of AI Agents, Agentic AI, and Autonomous AI. Let’s dig in!

TL;DR

• AI Agents: Specific tools designed for defined tasks, often with limited autonomy.
• Agentic AI: A broader paradigm enabling systems to adapt, learn, and make decisions within a defined scope.
• Autonomous AI: Systems with the ability to operate independently across open-ended challenges.

The Confusion Around Terminology

One of the most recurring themes in the comments was the confusion about terminology. Are AI Agents and Agentic AI really separate? Should we just call Agentic AI “Autonomous AI” and be done with it?

One readersaid it perfectly:

“Since autonomy is the decisive difference between AI Agents and Agentic AI, why don’t we just call the latter Autonomous AI? Semantics is a better differentiator than syntax.”

It’s a valid question, and one I’ve wrestled with myself. The term “Agentic AI” does feel like a new spin on the concept of autonomous AI. But at the same time, it’s trying to carve out a specific niche: AI systems that not only act independently but also learn and adapt in real-time. Maybe the challenge isn’t the terminology itself but how we’re applying it inconsistently across different products and paradigms.

Are AI Agents Just Products of Agentic AI?

Another common critique was whether AI Agents and Agentic AI are distinct at all. Some readers argued that AI Agents are essentially outputs or manifestations of Agentic AI.

One readerframed it this way:

“I wouldn’t frame things in this way. I would say that Agentic AI is a paradigm, and AI agents are products within that paradigm.”

This makes sense. For example, think of Agentic AI as the “brains” that enable autonomy, while AI Agents are the “hands” executing specific tasks. An AI Agent might not be fully autonomous, but if it’s powered by an adaptive system, you could argue it’s part of the broader Agentic AI paradigm. The distinction gets blurry when you’re dealing with advanced AI systems that sit somewhere in the middle of this spectrum.

Hierarchy and the Spectrum of Autonomy

Several readers pointed out that the autonomy of AI systems isn’t black and white. Instead, it’s more like a spectrum, with AI Agents at one end and fully autonomous Agentic AI at the other. One commenter offered a brilliant analogy:

“In my perception, it’s more a matter of hierarchy, a bit like in a company. I think of the agent as an employee, being the member of a specific part of the organization with a specific task. Within his scope, the employee is well able to take actions and decisions autonomously. But there are other members of the organization that coordinate his work with others or set goals (let’s call them ‘managers’…).”

This hierarchical view is both intuitive and practical. AI Agents, like employees, can make decisions within their predefined scope. Agentic AI, on the other hand, operates more like a manager, orchestrating and adapting across a broader set of goals and tasks. Seeing autonomy as a continuum rather than a binary distinction might help reduce the confusion around these terms.

Agentic AI vs Autonomous AI

Another hot topic was whether “Agentic AI” and “Autonomous AI” are even different. Some readers suggested that the two terms are essentially interchangeable. Others argued that the distinction lies in the level of independence and the ability to adapt.

Another reader put it this way:

“Agentic AI is like a specialist that operates on goal-oriented behaviors on specific tasks that are limited in scope, with or without the supervision of human-in-the-loop. Autonomous AI has a broader scope. It orchestrates several such agents to successfully complete an objective.”

This perspective suggests that Agentic AI operates within a bounded environment, whereas Autonomous AI might be more “free-range,” capable of tackling open-ended challenges without pre-defined rules. While the distinction is subtle, it’s an important one to consider as we build more sophisticated AI systems.

Real-World Applications and Their Limitations

Many comments also touched on real-world examples and whether these technologies are living up to their hype. Self-driving cars, for instance, were a point of contention. Are they truly autonomous, or are they just advanced orchestrations of pre-defined rules?

A different perspective highlighted this:

“Extending the self-driving car example, a car on a two-lane bridge senses a traffic jam ahead. Since it is already in the middle of the bridge, it will not itself revert and start going backward (considering there is less/no traffic behind it). As per the rule, it will stop and wait for the jam to clear up.”

This illustrates the limitations of even the most “autonomous” systems today. They operate within a set of pre-vetted scenarios and rules, which is a far cry from the full autonomy we often imagine when we think of Agentic AI.

Risk, Trust, and Accountability

Finally, some readers raised concerns about the risks of Agentic AI. For instance, what happens when autonomous systems make mistakes or invent data?

Another readerwrote:

“While Agentic AI seems smarter, their judgment can lead them to invent data, such as creating information that should be relevant but is not true or accurate. So, Agentic should be better, but are they really?”

This is a valid concern. As AI systems become more autonomous, the need for accountability and transparency becomes even more critical. Who’s responsible when an autonomous AI system makes a bad decision? These are questions we need to address as we push the boundaries of what AI can do.

So, Are They the Same?

After diving into all your comments and feedback, it’s clear that AI Agents, Agentic AI, and Autonomous AI are related but distinct concepts. However, the lines between them are blurry, and much of the confusion stems from how we’re using these terms.

To recap:

• AI Agents: Specific tools designed for defined tasks, often with limited autonomy.
• Agentic AI: A broader paradigm enabling systems to adapt, learn, and make decisions within a defined scope.
• Autonomous AI: Systems with the ability to operate independently across open-ended challenges.

The key takeaway? These terms exist on a spectrum, and as the technology evolves, so will the definitions. But for now, the important thing is to keep the conversation going. So thank you to everyone who shared your thoughts — let’s keep debating, questioning, and learning together.

What’s your take on all this? Let me know in the comments!

If you’re interested in diving deeper into the topic, I highly recommend checking out Cobus Greyling’s article on the 5 Levels of AI Agents. Greyling explores how terms like AI Agents, Autonomous Agents, Agentic Applications, and even “Agentic X” are often used interchangeably, providing a fascinating perspective.

Additionally, if you’re curious about how to build AI Agents yourself, this step-by-step guide from Maximilian Vogel is a fantastic resource. It offers a practical and concise approach to understanding and creating your own AI Agents.

Happy reading! ☕️