It makes sense that generative AI tools like ChatGPT became commonplace in industry in a matter of years. There are quantifiable gains in productivity, efficiency, and speed thanks to generative AI.

But as 2026 approaches, industry and security are paying close attention to a new type of AI called agentic AI. Additionally, agentic AI will bring about a much more profound change.

Agentic AI is autonomous, automated, and adaptive intelligence that can set goals, make real-time judgments, and then modify its behavior accordingly. As digital operators, AI agents collect data, learn from their environment, and perform complex tasks with minimal human assistance.

The new environment of threats

Cybercriminals can deploy AI agents to manage a campaign from start to finish. A malicious AI operator will perform reconnaissance, collect the necessary information, create incredibly convincing lures, test incursion routes, see how defenses respond, and then instantly modify its timing and tactics.

In addition to creating polymorphic malware that can rewrite its own code to avoid signature-based and behavioral detection, it will scan vast amounts of data in conjunction with specialized criminal platforms to automatically locate weaknesses to exploit.

These sophisticated technologies will resemble a well-coordinated brain that integrates into everyday activities, learns from every setback, and chains steps together.