Workflows vs. Agentic AI vs. Autonomous AI

Most marketers are using the words interchangeably. They shouldn’t.

There’s a lot of AI theater happening in B2B right now.

Everything is “agentic.”
Every feature is “autonomous.”
And every workflow with an API call is suddenly “intelligent.”

If you’re confused about the differences, you’re not alone. I am going to try and layout for you what I’ve learned through all of my experimentation over the past year. That way, you won’t wind up buying the wrong tools, hiring the wrong talent, setting the wrong expectations with your CEO, or designing the wrong GTM systems and strategy.

Let’s break this down in a way that actually makes sense. First we’ll start with simple definitions and examples of workflows, agentic AI, and autonomous AI.

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