More than just a buzzword, agentic AI marks a turning point in how we interact with technology—shifting from passive tools to proactive digital agents that can think, act, and adapt on our behalf. Imagine software that doesn’t just respond to commands but anticipates needs, executes complex tasks, and collaborates like a capable teammate. This isn’t science fiction—it’s already reshaping industries from healthcare to finance.
In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, host Michael Cinquino sits down with Jason Ling, Director of Digital Strategy, and Clint Edmonson, Director of Software Engineering, to unpack the real-world impact and strategic implications of agentic AI.
What is Agentic AI?
Agentic AI moves beyond generative AI’s “tell me” model to a “go do” model. While generative AI can draft content or summarize data, agentic AI can take action—rescheduling meetings, booking travel, or executing workflows—without constant human prompting. It’s the difference between an intern and a capable assistant who understands context, priorities, and nuance.
From Search to Action
The conversation highlights how agentic AI is reshaping digital behavior. Traditional search is giving way to AI-powered answers. As Clint notes, “We’re not interested in searching. We’re interested in finding.” This shift has massive implications for SEO, customer ownership, and digital strategy.
Jason urges leaders to ask a critical question: “Who owns your customer?” If users never visit your website but complete transactions through an AI agent, who owns the customer relationship—your brand or the platform? As AI intermediaries become the first point of contact, businesses must rethink how they capture and retain customer data. Clint adds that the battle for platform dominance—whether through browsers, operating systems, or new devices—is already underway.
Real-World Use Cases
Agentic AI is already in play. Moderna has over 3,000 agents running internal workflows. UnitedHealth has 1,000. These agents handle everything from form processing to customer service, dramatically increasing efficiency. In law, finance, and healthcare, agentic AI is poised to replace repetitive, rules-based tasks—freeing up professionals to focus on higher-value work.
Augmentation, Not Replacement
Both guests emphasize that agentic AI is about augmentation, not elimination. Paralegals, analysts, and operations teams can offload tedious tasks to agents, allowing them to focus on strategy, creativity, and decision-making. As Clint puts it, “It’s going to abstract away a lot of the tedious work to allow more time for strategic thinking.”
Getting Started: Low-Risk Entry Points
For organizations looking to explore agentic AI, the barrier to entry is lower than ever. Jason recommends experimenting with no-code platforms like Replit or Hugging Face to prototype ideas quickly. Clint compares it to 3D printing: “You can conceptualize a piece of software and have it generated in five minutes.” Workflow automation tools now include AI capabilities, making it easy to test use cases without major investment.
Governance and Guardrails
With great power comes great responsibility. Both guests stress the need for AI governance. As Jason notes, “These tools are becoming so easy to use—that was the point. But you still need to ask: What outcome am I trying to achieve?” Clint adds that standards like Model Context Protocol (MCP) are emerging to ensure safe, consistent integration.
Key Takeaways
- Agentic AI enables autonomous, multi-step task execution—beyond what generative AI can do.
- The shift from search to action will disrupt SEO, customer ownership, and digital strategy.
- Real-world use cases are already delivering ROI in healthcare, finance, and legal operations.
- Agentic AI augments human talent, freeing teams to focus on higher-value work.
- No-code tools and workflow automation platforms offer low-risk ways to experiment.
- Governance and clear outcomes are essential for responsible implementation.
Final Thoughts
Agentic AI isn’t just another tool—it’s a paradigm shift in how we build, scale, and collaborate with technology. For forward-thinking organizations, the opportunity lies in experimenting early, aligning with strategic goals, and preparing for a future where digital agents are part of every workflow.
Ascendle is here to help – contact us to explore how agentic AI can support your roadmap and accelerate outcomes.
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