Agentic AI Beyond the Hype
Next dates
Format
The course runs over 4 weeks and requires around 5 hours per week. The learning experience is primarily built around live online, cohort-based sessions in a high-impact format – designed to fit into even the busiest schedules. These are complemented by light self-paced individual work, allowing participants to explore software solutions at their own pace and reinforce their learning through practical exercises, such as creating their own AI agent.
Participants can also book an optional follow-up day in person in Berlin, with hands-on experience at a leading automation and AI firm.
Your learning journey
The program follows a practical learning journey that guides you from understanding the fundamentals of agentic AI to developing an implementation roadmap tailored to your organization.
Move immediately from theory to practice by designing and building an AI agent. Using the Agentic AI Canvas, develop an operational workflow and experience how AI agents are designed, connected to external systems, and deployed in practice.
Explore what distinguishes AI agents from traditional workflow automation. Learn how organizations are evolving from RPA to reasoning agents capable of planning, tool use, and autonomous execution, and gain insights from real enterprise implementations and common adoption challenges.
Organizations will not deploy isolated AI agents. They will deploy ecosystems of specialized agents collaborating across functions. Explore multi-agent architectures, orchestration, governance, organizational integration, and operating models, and develop an Agentic AI Blueprint for your organization.
Technology alone does not create competitive advantage – leadership does. Explore how leaders can redesign teams, decision-making, and operating models for the age of AI agents while building trust and enabling responsible AI adoption.
What you'll take back
Throughout the program, you'll develop a series of practical outputs tailored to your organization. Each assignment builds on the previous one, culminating in an actionable Agentic AI Roadmap.
Apply this program toward your AI Executive Certificate
This program counts toward ESMT Berlin’s AI Executive Certificate. Complete any mix of AI programs totaling 6 learning days and earn a credential aligned with the EU AI Act.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about Agentic AI: Beyond the Hype and what to expect from the program.
What is agentic AI?
Agentic AI refers to AI systems that can plan, reason, use tools, and take actions to achieve defined goals with varying degrees of autonomy. Unlike traditional AI applications that respond to individual prompts, AI agents can carry out multi-step tasks, interact with external systems, and adapt their actions based on context.
How is agentic AI different from generative AI?
Generative AI is designed to create content such as text, images, or code in response to prompts. Agentic AI builds on these capabilities by enabling AI systems to plan, make decisions, use tools, and complete tasks autonomously. In practice, generative AI helps you create, while agentic AI helps you act.
Why should business leaders pay attention to agentic AI now?
Organizations are moving beyond isolated AI tools toward intelligent systems that can support end-to-end business processes. As agentic AI becomes part of enterprise operations, leaders need to understand where it creates value, how to govern it responsibly, and how to prepare their organizations for successful adoption.
What business problems can agentic AI help solve?
Agentic AI can support a wide range of business processes, from customer service and knowledge management to operations, finance, procurement, and software development. Rather than replacing people, AI agents are increasingly used to automate repetitive tasks, support decision-making, and enable employees to focus on higher-value work. The most effective use cases depend on an organization's goals, processes, and governance requirements.
Who is this program designed for?
The program is designed for executives, senior managers, and business leaders who want to understand the strategic implications of agentic AI and lead its adoption within their organizations. It is particularly relevant for leaders responsible for digital transformation, innovation, operations, strategy, technology, or AI initiatives, as well as professionals who need to evaluate where agentic AI can create business value.
Do I need a technical background or coding experience?
No. The program is designed for business leaders rather than technical specialists. While you'll gain hands-on experience building and experimenting with AI agents, no prior coding or software development experience is required. The focus is on understanding the technology, evaluating business opportunities, and leading responsible implementation.
Will I build or experiment with AI agents during the program?
Yes. From the first module, you'll move beyond theory by designing and building an AI agent. Throughout the program, you'll apply what you learn through practical exercises and assignments, progressively developing an implementation roadmap tailored to your own organization.
Get the program brochure
The brochure is currently being finalized. Leave your details and we'll send it to you as soon as it's available, along with the latest program updates.
Looking for more information, a consultation, or support with your application?
Contact our program advisor Morgan Flaherty.
- Book a consultation
- Phone: +49 30 21231 1490
- Email: bd@esmt.org