The future of work is agentic

In this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, McKinsey senior partner Jorge Amar joins talent experts Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock, along with Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly, to explore the evolving landscape of AI agents in the workforce. The discussion clarifies the definition of agentic AI, differentiating it from generative AI by its capacity to execute tasks and learn from outcomes. Use cases across IT, HR, and customer service are examined, highlighting AI's role in talent acquisition, training, and personalized customer experiences. The panel also addresses the integration of AI agents into organizational structures, emphasizing the importance of change management, reskilling initiatives, and maintaining human empathy in customer interactions. They further discuss the balance between leveraging AI for productivity gains and preserving human roles, considering the cultural and ethical implications of a hybrid workforce where AI and humans collaborate.