One of the most pressing concerns with Generative AI (GenAI) today is the perceived lack of return on investment. Many organizations are struggling to translate AI hype into tangible value. But the problem isn’t with the technology, it’s with the readiness of the organizations attempting to adopt it.
Most enterprises simply aren’t AI ready. Their processes are fragmented, governance is inconsistent, and integration strategies are underdeveloped. Without these foundational elements in place, AI efforts stall, delivering limited business value.
To change this, we need to shift our focus from GenAI to Agentic AI.
Agentic AI: The Real Opportunity
GenAI was the warm-up. It showed us what’s possible with content creation and automation. But the main event is Agentic AI, autonomous, goal-oriented systems that can make decisions, take action, and collaborate effectively alongside human teams. Agentic AI isn’t just about generating content. It’s about augmenting human capability and driving business outcomes.
This evolution demands that we rethink how work gets done and redefine the role of the human workforce. We’re moving from humans using tools to humans working with agents.
Reconnecting the DOTS: A Holistic Approach
To realize the full potential of Agentic AI, organizations need to reconnect the DOTS: Data, Operations, Talent, and Software.
- Data must be restructured to feed intelligent agents with quality, context-rich information.
- Operations need to be reengineered to accommodate new workflows where human and agentic systems collaborate.
- Talent must be reskilled to work with, manage, and supervise AI agents.
- Software architecture must be rethought to enable interoperability, agility, and continuous learning.
This is not a quick fix. Reconnecting the DOTS is a long-term commitment. It’s hard, often thankless work that must span across lines of business, not just isolated digital functions. But it’s essential, both for immediate gains and sustainable transformation.
The ROI of AI Starts with Readiness
The business case for AI becomes clear when Agentic AI is in place and the DOTS are aligned. Until then, expecting ROI from GenAI alone is like expecting enterprise transformation from a chatbot. GenAI may have lit the spark, but Agentic AI is what will power the engine.
Now is the time to move beyond experiments and proofs of concept. It’s time to get serious about AI readiness. That means making the hard changes, starting with reconnecting the DOTS.
