Adoption of agentic artificial intelligence ( AI ) is gaining strong momentum in Greater China, with 45% of organizations in the region currently using it and 42% planning its deployment within six months, a new report finds.

Agentic AI, the latest stage in the evolution of AI and automation, enables software programs to take autonomous action. These “agents” are capable of perceiving their environment, analyzing data, making decisions, and taking actions.  They can operate independently, without constant human supervision, and can execute complex tasks across various business applications and systems.

In mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, customer support and real-time decision-making are two of the top use cases for agentic AI. “By leveraging autonomous AI capabilities, organizations can revolutionize customer service, enhancing user experiences through faster and personalized interactions,” according to a report by International Data Corporation ( IDC ), commissioned by New York City-based global agentic AI software provider UiPath.

“Additionally, agentic AI's real-time decision support empowers businesses to make informed, adaptive choices in dynamic environments, significantly boosting operational efficiency and scalability. This strategic integration of agentic AI is poised to redefine the competitive landscape in multiple industries, including finance and logistics.”

AI spending in the region is projected to reach US$102.9 billion by 2028, demonstrating a robust growth trajectory. This figure significantly contributes to the broader AI spending in Asia-Pacific, which is projected to hit US$176 billion by 2028. In Hong Kong, the expansion of AI applications – supported by government efforts, including dedicated funding and initiatives in its latest budget to foster the AI industry – is set to accelerate further with the growing adoption of agentic AI.

With the growing implementation of agentic AI, however, organizations in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan face significant challenges. Data security aspects ( 63% ) emerge as the top implementation risk, followed by a lack of skilled in-house IT workforce ( 49% ) and ethical and regulatory concerns ( 48% ), according to the IDC report.

Organizations are also concerned about business risks, including security vulnerabilities due to autonomous actions ( 53% ), potential for misuse by malicious actors, and a lack of transparency in decision-making ( 44% ).  These concerns highlight the critical need for robust governance frameworks and a skilled talent pool to ensure safe, ethical, and effective AI deployment, the report says.

“Becoming an AI-fuelled business is no longer an option in today’s unpredictable climate. For many organizations, it's fast becoming a strategic necessity,” says Deepika Giri, associate vice president, AI Research, at IDC Asia-Pacific. “Across the region, organizations are embracing agentic AI and agentic automation at scale. It is clear that many leaders see its potential to drive unprecedented levels of productivity, innovation, and growth, which will be key in building organizational resilience against future disruptions.”