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AI Co-Pilot vs Agentic AI – Key Differences

Saurabh Kumar
CEO
October 3, 2024
5 min read
Agentic AI
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If you have been paying attention to the AI space, you have undoubtedly heard about AI Co-Pilots. AI Copilot is a tool that assists users and makes their work easier by injecting intelligence into their workflow.

What is an AI Co-Pilot?

An AI Co-Pilot is an artificial intelligence assistant designed to help users perform tasks more efficiently by providing contextual suggestions, automating repetitive actions, and enhancing productivity within existing workflows. It typically works alongside users, offering real-time support without taking independent action.

However, more recently, AI Agents or Agentic AI have arrived as the new kid on the block who seems to be drawing all the limelight (and for good reason!).

What is Agentic AI?  

Agentic AI refers to autonomous AI systems capable of not only assisting users but also acting independently to complete multi-step goals without constant human intervention. These systems leverage advanced automation, conversational interfaces, and decision-making capabilities to deliver end-to-end task execution.

In this blog, we will overview each and compare the two AI technologies. We will also try to understand why Agentic AI is on track to replace Co-pilot as the dominant form of AI in enterprise applications.

Let us look at:

  1. Critical Capabilities of AI Co-Pilot vs Agentic AI
  2. Use case and examples of each
  3. Business Outcomes and ROI Possibilities
  4. Differences in the technology stack
  5. Implementation approach and how to get started

From Chaos to Control: How Black Angus Transformed IT Support with AI Automation
Black Angus, a popular restaurant chain, drastically improved its operational efficiency by deploying an agentic AI-powered chatbot. By leveraging endpoint automation, the company reduced after-hours support calls from 90% to just 10%. This shift enabled greater self-service, smoother collaboration, and streamlined day-to-day operations—freeing up IT resources for higher-value work.

Key capabilities of AI Co-Pilot vs Agentic AI

AI Copilot: Assisting and Augmenting

An AI copilot is an augmentation tool designed to work alongside humans, assisting and enhancing their abilities in various tasks. It can save humans time by processing information quickly, offering real-time recommendations, generating content, and automating routine tasks. However, they always operate under direct human guidance. The copilot enhances productivity by increasing the efficiency of processes such as writing, coding, or managing data, but it does not act independently. The copilot’s strength lies in its ability to elevate human efficiency without stepping beyond the boundaries of human oversight.

Agentic AI: Autonomous Decision-Making

In contrast, agentic AI represents a more advanced form of artificial intelligence that operates autonomously, making independent decisions and executing actions without constant human input. These systems are designed to mimic human-like reasoning and problem-solving, allowing them to act independently to accomplish predefined business goals. Agentic AI can learn from its environment, refine its strategies, and take actions without human intervention, often functioning in complex and dynamic environments.

Use case and examples

Here are some examples of AI Co-Pilots that enhance the users' efficiency in a range of areas, from sales to content writing

  • Microsoft Copilot: Assist users with MS Office products like Word or Excel
  • Jasper AI: Helps create new content using AI
  • GitHub Copilot – Helps developers create code
  • Salesforce Einstein: Helps sales teams become more efficient by automating sales workflows and data
  • Adobe Firefly: Helps users create creative content across Adobe products

Here are some examples of agentic AI that are more autonomous and drive business outcomes independently.

  • Waymo self-driving cars:  Cars that can independently drive to a destination without assistance from a driver
  • Salesforce Agent force: Drives customer support across multiple channels
  • Piper AI SDR – Generates Sales Leads autonomously
  • Rezolve.ai – Agentic AI for ITSM that automates Level 1 IT & HR support

Business Outcomes and ROI of AI Co-Pilots & Agentic AIs

In general, Copilots typically offer a 5-10% improvement in employee productivity by automating steps in the workflow and helping drive insights into a larger volume of data.

By being autonomous, Agentic AI can operate at 100% efficiency (if a task can run with no human input). Most commercial Agentic AI systems already deliver 20-50% efficiency improvements.

Differences in the technology stack

Co-pilots typically function by adding a generative AI or similar AI capability to an existing product to make it more efficient. For example, some legacy ITSM systems have added a Ticket Summarization feature using generative AI.

So, the two core pieces of a Co-Pilot are:

  • An existing application (like an ITSM or MS Office) in which to add a copilot
  • A GenAI LLM models like OpenAI GPT 4o or Anthropic Claude that can add AI capabilities to the legacy application

Agentic AI relies on a more complex architecture to deliver fully autonomous outcomes. In a SaaS-based AI platform, the typical components are:

  • RAG Architecture to connect to relevant enterprise content
  • Data Integration to unstructured and structured data
  • API integrations for workflow automation
  • Memory – maintaining context for AI
  • Agents that supervise and manage work and orchestrate it all

Frameworks like Lang Chain are examples of platforms supporting some of the above capabilities.

Implementation approach and how to get started

To get started with copilots, the easiest path may be to simply enable them in products like MS Office or Salesforce. However, for all the reasons discussed earlier, copilots may already be on the way out to make way for Agentic AI.

To get started with Agentic AI, you can start with two possible paths:

  • Build using a platform like Lang Chain – this can be complex and expensive.
  • Leverage a purpose-built platform: To automate IT Support, for example, get started with a purpose-built platform like Rezolve.ai.

Expert Quotes  

“We’re defining agentic AI as systems that can plan autonomously and take actions to meet goals.” – Tom Coshow, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner

Key Takeaways:

  • AI Co-Pilots assist users by offering suggestions but rely on human execution.
  • Agentic AI, like Rezolve.ai, goes further by automating entire tasks through intelligent decision-making and action.
  • Organizations seeking to boost productivity and reduce manual workloads should explore Agentic AI for ITSM, HR, and business support.

FAQs  

How does Rezolve.ai’s Agentic AI differ from traditional AI Co-Pilots?

Rezolve.ai’s Agentic AI doesn’t just assist—it automates. By operating directly inside collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams, Rezolve.ai enables users to resolve issues, reset passwords, and retrieve knowledge autonomously without switching tools or waiting for IT agents.

What are some common business scenarios where Rezolve.ai’s Agentic AI adds value?

From IT service management to HR onboarding and employee support, Rezolve.ai automates routine queries, ticket handling, and knowledge delivery—saving time, reducing operational costs, and improving employee satisfaction.

See how Rezolve.ai can pave way for higher ROI and operational excellence for your IT support
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Saurabh Kumar
CEO
Saurabh Kumar brings over 15 years of experience leading Digital, IT, and Data Science initiatives at Fortune 500 companies. Before founding Rezolve.ai, he ran the digital strategy and consulting firm Negative Friction. He held leadership roles at Bank of the West (SVP, Wealth Management), Blue Shield of California (Sr. Director, Digital Customer Experience), and Wells Fargo. His expertise spans Product Management, Software Architecture, and UX. An active startup investor and advisor (e.g., Feetapart), Saurabh holds an MBA from IIM Bangalore and a B.Tech from IIT Varanasi. He also serves on the board of the Kishalay Foundation, supporting primary education, and is an avid international traveler.
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