Agentic AI vs Generative AI: Understanding the Future of AI

Category: AI Innovation / Business Growth
Author: Ronak A. Tandel
Developer Reference: Mr Het Sojitra & Mr Kenil M, Yogreet Global LLP

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence has come a long way from writing essays to running companies better than humans sometimes. But two buzzwords are now leading the AI world: Generative AI and Agentic AI.

You already know ChatGPT, Midjourney, or DALLE. These are examples of Generative AI-they create. But now there,s a new revolution: Agentic AI, which doesn,t just create-it acts, decides, and executes.

Think of it like this:
Generative AI is your super smart assistant.
Agentic AI is your assistant with a car, credit card, and WiFi that actually gets things done.

What is Generative AI

Generative AI refers to systems that can generate new content-text, code, images, videos, or even music-using massive datasets and deep learning models.

Example: You say 'Write a blog about AI.' Generative AI like ChatGPT writes it. It doesn,t decide when or why-you guide it.
Common Use Cases:

Content Creation: Blogs, posts, ad copies, emails, and scripts.
Design and Art: Tools like Midjourney and Leonardo AI create visual masterpieces.
Code Generation: GitHub Copilot and Replit Ghostwriter speed up programming.
Video Production: Runway ML and Pika Labs turn ideas into videos.
Education: AI tutors generate custom lessons and summaries for learners.

Before Automation - timeline view

What is Agentic AI

Agentic AI takes things a step further-from creating to acting. It uses reasoning, planning, and autonomy to make real decisions and execute actions on its own.

Example: You say 'Book my flight to Mumbai for tomorrow morning.' Agentic AI will search flights, compare options, pick the best one, book it, and email you the ticket. It doesn,t just talk-it acts.
Common Use Cases:

Customer Support Agents: Handle calls, process tickets, and send confirmations.
Sales Agents: Follow up, send proposals, and close deals autonomously.
Healthcare Bots: Schedule appointments, manage prescriptions, and alert doctors.
Recruitment and HR: Screen resumes, schedule interviews, and send offer letters.
Travel Automation: Compare, book, and confirm travel plans.
Finance and Billing: Verify invoices, update payments, and generate reports.

Before Automation - timeline view

Key Differences

Feature	Generative AI	Agentic AI
Goal	Create content	Achieve objectives
Control	Needs user input	Works autonomously
Memory	Short term	Long term retains context
Decision Making	Reactive	Proactive
Example	Writes an email draft	Writes, sends, and follows up automatically

Benefits of Agentic AI

Full Workflow Automation: From input to execution with zero manual effort.
Context Awareness: Learns and adapts over time.
Efficiency: Reduces workload and cost simultaneously.
System Integration: Connects to CRMs, APIs, or databases seamlessly.
Always Available: Works nonstop with consistent performance.

Real World Use Cases

Customer Support (Yogreet Voice Agent): At Yogreet Global LLP, AI Voice Agents powered by Retell AI handle real conversations-answering customer calls, solving issues, and even sending WhatsApp receipts. Generative AI creates smart replies; Agentic AI executes updates, books appointments, or sends confirmations.