Member report (Elsewhen): Building the Agentic Enterprise: AI Agents & Multi-Agent Systems

Learn about the strategic opportunities unlocked by AI agents and multi-agent systems and explore how they lay the foundation for the agentic enterprise.

In today's enterprise, it’s common to have hundreds of software applications, most of which operate in silos, creating a tangled web of inefficiencies that hamper productivity.

AI-powered multi-agent systems (MAS) and AI agents address these inefficiencies by delivering three core advantages to enterprises: increased productivity, cost-efficiency, and adaptability. These capabilities form the foundation of what we call the agentic enterprise — an organisation where AI-driven systems collaborate seamlessly, adapt dynamically, and operate with a degree of independent reasoning.

By enabling real-time data flow and decision-making across previously isolated systems, these networks streamline workflows and reduce manual intervention, freeing up valuable time and resources. Their adaptability allows organisations to build solutions tailored to specific operational needs, reducing reliance on rigid, one-size-fits-all SaaS tools. By moving towards proprietary multi-agent systems and setting the groundwork for the agentic enterprise, businesses can build flexible, customised workflows that better align with their goals.

MAS are composed of AI agents, which range from basic task-specific tools to more advanced autonomous agents capable of agentic reasoning, planning, and adapting to changing conditions. While not all AI agents are necessarily fully autonomous, the integration of even basic agents can streamline operations and improve efficiency across complex workflows.

The adoption of AI agents is happening faster than you may think. According to a recent survey of over 1,300 professionals, 51% of companies already have AI agents in production, with 78% actively planning to implement them soon. Mid-sized companies (100–2000 employees) are leading the way, with 63% already deploying agents. Interestingly, this momentum isn’t confined to the tech sector; 90% of non-tech companies are using or planning to use agents, nearly matching the adoption rates of tech companies at 89%.

Elsewhere, with the arrival of multi-agent frameworks like OpenAI’s Swarm, LangGraph, and ReAct, enterprises can now bridge disconnected agents through intelligent, collaborative systems, creating a cohesive network that transforms decision-making and operational efficiency.

These frameworks are driving multi-agent systems to become increasingly agentic, meaning they are powered by autonomous agents capable of reasoning, planning, learning from past interactions and communicating with each other. This shift allows MAS to go beyond simple task coordination, fundamentally reshaping how software integrates within enterprise environments.

At the same time, Stripe now lets AI agents make controlled purchases using temporary virtual cards — another sign they’re moving from concept to reality.

Read Elsewhen's whitepaper, which outlines the strategic opportunities unlocked by AI agents and multi-agent systems and explore how they lay the foundation for the agentic enterprise.

techUK - Seizing the AI Opportunity

The UK is a global leader in AI innovation, development and adoption. The economic growth and productivity gain that AI can unlock is vast, but to fully harness this transformative opportunity, immediate action is required. techUK and our members are committed to working with the Government to turn the AI Opportunities Action Plan into reality. Our aim is to ensure the UK seizes the opportunities presented by AI technology and continues to be a world leader in AI development.

techUK runs a full calendar of activities including events, reports, and insights to demonstrate some of the most significant AI opportunities for the UK. Our AI Hub is where you will find details of all upcoming activity. We also send a monthly AI newsletter which you can subscribe to here.