Scaling Agentic AI for Government Workforce

Over the past few years, artificial intelligence has become a mainstream technology for people and organizations worldwide, and the federal government is no exception. AI’s rising popularity has been driven in part by the accessibility of generative AI tools.

As AI technology matures and large language models become more sophisticated, the focus is shifting to the next and most powerful iteration: agentic AI.

“Unlike traditional AI, which follows predefined rules or generates content on command, agentic AI systems act as independent agents: They perceive their environment, set goals, make decisions and take actions—all with minimal human intervention,” wrote Dan Chenok, executive director of the IBM Center for the Business of Government, in “Accelerating Mission Outcomes with Agentic AI: A Practical Guide for Federal Leaders.”

His advice is to “think of agentic AI as a trusted digital teammate that not only understands your objectives but proactively finds the best path to achieve them, learns from every interaction and adapts in real time to changing circumstances.” He also said the rise of AI agents comes at a time when “federal agencies are under unprecedented pressure to modernize, innovate and do more with less.”

Despite its tremendous promise, however, AI technology raises issues related to security and governance. Appropriate oversight into AI models and agents must be a priority for government agencies because their activities directly impact the everyday lives of Americans.

That delicate balance between encouraging advances in AI while ensuring the technology does not run amok lies at the heart of the challenges facing government and society as a whole. Yet finding that balance is vital. As Chenok wrote, “Agentic AI is not just the next step in automation—it’s a fundamental shift in how agencies can achieve their missions. By enabling systems to act, learn and adapt, agentic AI empowers federal leaders to break through long-standing barriers, deliver measurable outcomes and build a future-ready government.”

Read more insights from Carahsoft and our agentic AI partners when you download the full report.