Why Agentic AI requires a new automation architecture
Companies are currently investing heavily in artificial intelligence. New AI tools are emerging almost daily, the first AI agents are taking over operational tasks and many organizations are experimenting with intelligent automation solutions. But while the possibilities are growing, a new problem is emerging: automation itself is becoming increasingly complex. Where individual processes used to be automated, applications, data sources, workflows, employees and AI agents now have to work together seamlessly. Without overarching control, there is a risk of new silos, a lack of transparency and a loss of governance.
The crucial question is therefore no longer:
How do we use AI? … but … How do we intelligently orchestrate AI, processes, systems and people?
The next evolutionary step in automation
Many companies already have a variety of automation and integration solutions. RPA platforms, BPM systems, low-code applications, integration tools and AI services often exist side by side. The emergence of Agentic AI is further exacerbating this situation.
Unlike traditional automation, AI agents do not work exclusively on the basis of rules. They analyze information, make decisions, use different systems and independently control multi-stage processes. This makes it possible to automate processes that were previously too complex or too dynamic(atvantage.com). At the same time, however, the need for control, transparency and traceability is increasing, because the more autonomous systems interact with each other, the more important the question becomes: who actually keeps track of everything?
Why orchestration is becoming a decisive success factor
This is precisely where the concept of orchestration becomes increasingly important. While many companies today optimize individual technologies, the ability to combine different components into a controllable overall system is increasingly coming to the fore. In this context, industry analysts and technology providers are increasingly talking about so-called Business Orchestration and Automation Technologies (BOAT). The idea behind this is to no longer view automation, integration, processes and AI in isolation, but to coordinate and control them centrally(Gartner).
Orchestration ensures that:
- Keeping processes transparent
- Making decisions comprehensible
- AI agents act in a controlled manner
- Governance requirements are met
- Automation remains scalable
Or to put it another way:
AI doesn’t just need intelligence. AI needs leadership.
Agentic AI without loss of control
Many companies are currently facing a dilemma: on the one hand, they want to quickly exploit the potential of agentic AI – on the other hand, there are legitimate requirements in terms of compliance, security and governance. This is precisely why modern architectures are increasingly relying on orchestrated AI workflows. AI agents are not viewed as isolated individual solutions, but as part of a higher-level system. Decisions, approvals, human interventions and system interactions can be centrally controlled, monitored and documented. Experts refer to this as a necessary “control plane” that makes autonomous systems coordinable and capable of production(Dynatrace). This creates an architecture that enables innovation without losing control.
From automation to intelligent collaboration
The future of digitization will not be determined by more powerful AI models alone. The decisive factor will be how well companies can organize the interaction between people, processes, applications, data and AI agents. Successful companies will not be those that use the most AI tools, but those that orchestrate their technologies intelligently.
Webinar: AI needs orchestration
Together with our partner ATVANTAGE, we shed light on precisely these issues in our webinar:
“AI needs orchestration – control processes intelligently with BOAT & Agentic AI”
In it you will learn:
- Why traditional automation landscapes are increasingly reaching their limits
- what role Business Orchestration & Automation Platforms (BOAT) will play in the future
- how Agentic AI can be integrated in a governance-compliant and scalable manner
- and how processes, systems, people and AI can be brought together in a meaningful way
The webinar is aimed in particular at:
- CIOs and IT managers
- Enterprise Architects
- Responsible for automation and digitization
- Process owner
- AI and innovation managers
If you want to shape the next stage of business automation, you should not only think about AI, but above all about orchestrating it.
