What’s the Difference Between AI Agents and Agentic AI?

What’s the difference between AI agents and agentic AI—and how do those differences affect you? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of The Upwork Research Institute, breaks down how these two types of AI are shaping the future of work. While AI agents execute tasks, agentic AI systems pursue goals, adapt over time, and make complex decisions—often with minimal or no human intervention. We’ll explore research from Anthropic, insights from Upwork data, and how teams can effectively integrate and manage emerging AI technology. Whether you're a business leader building AI-powered workflows or a worker navigating a developing digital landscape, this episode will equip you with the clarity to act—and the questions to ask.