(Image credit: TEKsystems)

In its 2025 “Version Next, Now” report, TEKsystems spotlights agentic AI as the next wave of enterprise innovation—AI systems that do more than reason; they act. These autonomous agents, powered by large-language models, can interpret context, make decisions aligned with organizational goals, and execute actions—bridging the longstanding gap between static programming and dynamic adaptability.

At the core of agentic AI are decision-making algorithms that assess probabilities and patterns versus goals and constraints, alongside reinforcement learning that enables them to evolve through experience. These systems also incorporate contextual analysis and adaptive behavior, allowing for nuanced responses and improved performance over time. More advanced deployments leverage multi-agent coordination, where specialized agents collaborate through shared memory and orchestration layers to resolve complex tasks.

The business impact is already tangible. Agentic AI streamlines workflows across departments—from automating customer service interactions to orchestrating scientific research or optimizing manufacturing pipelines. In many cases, organizations may soon see AI agents autonomously handling up to 70% of office tasks by 2030.

TEKsystems and other practitioners highlight crucial considerations for deployment: aligning AI with workflows, ensuring continuous monitoring, and guarding against security risks posed by new attack surfaces introduced by autonomous agents. Governance frameworks like NIST’s AI RMF must be baked in during design and operation to maintain accountability and manage ethical risks. Sustainability concerns, especially around AI infrastructure and e‑waste, also demand lifecycle awareness and planning.

To implement agentic AI effectively, TEKsystems recommends setting SMART goals, launching pilots with high‑impact use cases, and preparing for scale through coordinated governance across IT, security, and operations. Organizations must also foster culture change—reskilling teams and encouraging humans to work alongside, not replace, AI agents.

🧭 Why It Matters for IT Leaders

Agentic AI marks a transformative shift: systems that learn, reason, and execute independently can boost efficiency, reduce manual workload, and open new avenues for innovation. But true value depends on judicious implementation—combining functional pilots with robust governance, ethical guardrails, and continuous monitoring. Embracing agentic AI strategically promises not only operational gains, but also competitive advantage in an increasingly automated enterprise landscape.

⚙️AI skills aren’t just nice to have — they’re becoming essential.

Alyssa Cook, Senior Managing Consultant here at Beacon Hill, was recently featured in the Fortune article, Companies are overhauling their hiring processes to screen candidates for AI skills—and attitudes by Sage Lazzaro. 

(Image credit: Beacon Hill)

The article explores how employers are evolving their hiring strategies to prioritize candidates with AI proficiency and the mindset to adapt alongside rapidly changing technologies. Companies recognize that technical aptitude with specific AI tools often outweighs general experience. As Alyssa insightfully shared: 

“Companies would rather hire a candidate who has hands-on experience with a particular tool they are implementing if they have the ability and interest to train up on other skills.” 

The shift is real:
✔ 66% of leaders wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills
✔ 71% would pick a less experienced candidate with AI skills over a more experienced one without

Her perspective reflects the real-time shifts seen across the hiring landscape, especially as AI becomes embedded in day-to-day operations.