What Agentic AI means for business leaders

Artificial intelligence is entering a new phase. Beyond chatbots and content generation, organizations are beginning to explore AI agents that can plan, reason, coordinate workflows, and execute complex tasks autonomously. The opportunity is significant, but many organizations still struggle to move from experimentation to measurable business value.

This program provides leaders with a practical understanding of the emerging world of Agentic AI. Participants learn how AI agents differ from traditional AI applications, where they can create competitive advantage, and which organizational, technological, and governance challenges must be addressed for successful implementation.

As AI ecosystems rapidly evolve, leaders need to separate genuine opportunities from market hype. Guided by world-class ESMT faculty and leading industry practitioners, participants engage in expert-led sessions, interactive discussions, and real-world case studies. They assess their organization’s readiness for Agentic AI, identify high-impact use cases, and develop a roadmap for implementing AI agents responsibly and effectively.

Key facts

Your profile

You are a mid-level or senior corporate leader responsible for driving digital transformation and AI adoption within your organization.
You are a business unit leader, functional manager, or operations executive seeking to understand how AI agents can improve productivity, decision-making, and customer experience.
You are an innovation, technology, or transformation professional tasked with identifying and implementing high-value AI use cases.
You are a product, process, or project leader navigating the organizational, governance, and change-management challenges associated with deploying AI agents at scale.

Benefits

Understand what Agentic AI really is and distinguish meaningful business applications from market hype.
Identify high-impact use cases where AI agents can augment teams, automate workflows, and create competitive advantage.
Assess organizational readiness for Agentic AI, including data, technology, governance, and talent requirements.
Learn practical frameworks for evaluating, prioritizing, and implementing AI agent initiatives responsibly and effectively.
Develop strategies to manage risks related to trust, security, compliance, accountability, and human-AI collaboration.
Build an actionable roadmap to move from experimentation to scalable business impact.

Topics

Agentic AI Fundamentals – Understanding Agents, Autonomy, and Multi-Agent Systems
From Copilots to Autonomous Workflows – Business Applications and Emerging Use Cases
Organizational Readiness – Data, Governance, Technology, and Operating Models
Implementing AI Agents – Change Management, Risk Management, and Leadership Strategies
Human-AI Collaboration and Workforce Transformation
Building an AI Agent Roadmap – From Pilot Projects to Enterprise Scale

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.

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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.

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