Last updated on February 17th, 2026
Over the last several years, artificial intelligence has expanded and evolved to a point we may never have imagined was possible. The widespread adoption of traditional AI tools, followed by generative AI technology (like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot), has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for businesses, introducing vast opportunities to streamline everyday processes. Many in the manufacturing sector have been utilizing this technology for years—and are seeing tangible benefits. But generative AI isn’t the end of the story.
Recently, an even more advanced form of artificial intelligence, known as agentic AI, has taken center stage in the technology revolution. Agentic AI takes artificial intelligence a step further, giving rise to fully autonomous systems that can plan, reason, make decisions, and execute workflows. As you can imagine, this level of technology is expected to completely transform the world of manufacturing. The process has already begun as companies across the world actively adopt agentic AI. So, what exactly is agentic AI, and how can it be used in manufacturing to support operations and specifically financial processes? Let’s get into it.
What is agentic AI?
Agentic AI is a form of artificial intelligence comprised of agents that, as IBM describes it, “mimic human decision-making to solve problems in real time.” Unlike traditional AI systems, which require human intervention, agentic AI operates autonomously. Agentic AI models are able to plan and complete multi-step processes with minimal human supervision. These models can collaborate with other systems and software as well as humans.
Examples of Agentic AI Use in Manufacturing
Below are some examples of tasks that agentic AI can carry out autonomously:
- Placing orders with suppliers and adjusting production schedules
- Monitoring machinery, scheduling maintenance, and ordering replacement parts
- Performing quality control and assurance processes, and addressing quality issues if they arise
- Facilitating employee onboarding
- Screening vendors and carrying out the vendor onboarding process
- Managing inventory by predicting supply usage, tracking inventory levels, and initiating stock reorders when needed
How can agentic AI support your financial processes?
One area of operations that agentic AI can help to optimize is your company’s financial processes. Some financial functions that agentic AI can carry out with little human intervention include the following:
- Invoice processing
- Supply chain management
- Financial forecasting
- Account reconciliation
- Payroll management
- Financial reporting
- Compliance monitoring
- Fraud detection
- Budget management
Some Caveats
Agentic AI, while an extremely powerful tool, is not exempt from potential shortcomings. Challenges that have been observed in these models include a lack of causal reasoning, the risk of “error cascades” that could compound inaccuracies, a lack of goal alignment between individual agents, unintended outcomes, and amplified security risk, to name a few. So, agentic AI, while technically autonomous, still demands human oversight. Humans contribute the experience, ethical reasoning, and judgment that AI agents lack, and human authorization should be required for all high-stakes operational decisions. In short, a level of human oversight is necessary to safeguard your business’s systems and ensure accountability.
Work with RBT
While you consider the potential benefits and challenges involved in the adoption of agentic AI, let our manufacturing accounting team at RBT CPAs support your accounting, tax, audit, and advisory needs. Call us today and find out how we can be Remarkably Better Together.