Welcome to the inaugural issue of AI Now, your concise guide to what's happening in artificial intelligence and what it means for you.

The Agentic AI Revolution Is Here

2025 isn't just about smarter chatbots anymore. We're witnessing the rise of agentic AI—systems that don't just respond but actually take action. Think of it as the difference between a calculator and a personal assistant who can book your flights, negotiate prices, and learn your preferences over time.

Major players like Anthropic, Alphabet, Microsoft, and OpenAI have all debuted their visions of agentic AI in early 2025. Tech-forward enterprises are already shifting focus from automating tasks to redesigning entire workflows.

My take: This shift from passive tools to active agents will be the defining characteristic of AI in 2025. Companies that treat AI as just another software feature will fall behind those building it into their operational DNA.

The Economic Reality Check

Here's the uncomfortable truth: without AI-related investments in data centers, U.S. GDP growth in the first half of 2025 was essentially flat—around 0.1%. Meanwhile, a Senate report suggests AI could impact up to 97 million jobs over the next decade.

What this means: We're in a paradox. AI is propping up economic growth numbers while simultaneously threatening to disrupt millions of livelihoods. The gap between AI investment and broader economic vitality should concern us all.

My advice: If you're in a role that involves repetitive decision-making or data processing, now is the time to pivot toward skills that complement AI—creative problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking. Recent data shows stability in AI's labor market impacts for now, but that could change at any point.

The Ethics Conversation We Need

As AI becomes more autonomous, the ethical questions multiply. Who's accountable when an AI agent makes a harmful decision? How do we ensure these systems reflect our values?

​Organizations are grappling with ethics considerations around trust, bias, security, and privacy. The challenge is balancing innovation with responsibility.

My perspective: We can't regulate our way out of every AI risk, but we also can't leave it entirely to market forces. The sweet spot is thoughtful frameworks that encourage innovation while establishing clear boundaries around safety and transparency.

Looking Ahead

AI in 2025 is transitioning from experimental to structural. The organizations and individuals who thrive will be those who view AI not as a replacement for human capability, but as an amplifier of it.

Three things to watch:

• How companies integrate agentic AI into customer-facing roles
• Policy responses to AI-driven job displacement
• The emergence of "AI-native" business models that couldn't exist without these technologies

Stay curious, stay adaptable, and remember: the goal isn't to compete with AI—it's to collaborate with it effectively.