AI agent technology is rapidly becoming mainstream, completely changing the landscape of workflow automation. AI, which used to be just simple chatbots, has now evolved into agents that can make decisions and execute tasks on their own. As of 2026, this technology is no longer in the experimental stage but a reality deeply integrated into practical work.
According to Google Cloud’s AI Agent Trends 2026 report, the adoption rate of AI agents by companies has significantly increased year-over-year. The key is autonomous decision-making that goes beyond simple automation. While traditional RPA performed repetitive tasks according to predefined rules, AI agents understand context and make judgments appropriate to the situation. For example, when a customer inquiry comes in, it analyzes the content, assigns it to the appropriate person in charge, and even handles simple cases directly. Microsoft News’ 2026 AI trend analysis assesses this year as the first year that AI agents are fully integrated into business processes. In particular, the combination with no-code/low-code platforms is significant, allowing general employees, not just developers, to build their own AI workflows. There are increasing cases of marketing managers automating everything from content creation to distribution, and finance teams directly designing report writing pipelines. TechCrunch diagnosed 2026 as the year AI transitions from hype to pragmatism. We are entering a stage of proving actual ROI instead of flashy demos.
In the future, AI agents are expected to evolve into multi-agent systems where multiple agents collaborate, going beyond performing single tasks. However, as autonomy increases, security and governance issues will inevitably become more prominent. Establishing a management system as quickly as technology is adopted will be a key task that determines success or failure.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between an AI agent and a traditional chatbot?
A: Chatbots respond according to predefined scenarios, but AI agents understand the context, decide on their own next actions, and complete tasks by utilizing external tools.
Q: Can non-developers also build AI workflow automation?
A: Yes, it is possible. With the development of no-code/low-code platforms, an environment is being created where you can create AI agent-based workflows using a drag-and-drop method.
Q: What is the most important thing to be aware of when introducing AI agents?
A: Establishing a security and governance system is the most important thing. You must clearly define the scope of the agent’s autonomous judgment and thoroughly manage access rights to sensitive data.