Agents in AI - The Next Evolution of Enterprise Software

Did you know that the AI agents market is projected to reach USD 216.8 billion by 2035? This astronomical growth from its current value of USD 4.1 billion underscores a fundamental shift in enterprise software—one that promises to be the most significant transformation since cloud computing.

From Systems of Record to Systems of Agents

Enterprise software has evolved through distinct phases, each building upon the last:

• Systems of Record (1980s-2000s): Databases and ERPs focused on storing and processing data
• Systems of Engagement (2000s-2010s): Communication and collaboration tools with user-friendly interfaces
• Systems of Intelligence (2010s-2020s): Analytics and ML layers attempting to derive insights
• Systems of Agents (2020s+): AI agents that can understand, decide, and take action

What sets Systems of Agents apart is their active role in orchestrating work. Consider a supply chain scenario: instead of humans manually tracking inventory, negotiating with suppliers, and managing logistics, an AI agent autonomously handles these tasks—predicting demand, initiating restocking, and even negotiating contracts.

The Blackboard Architecture Revival

Modern AI agent systems revive and enhance the blackboard architecture from the 1980s, featuring:

1. Knowledge Sources (Specialist Agents): Individual AI models and services that provide specific expertise
2. Shared Memory (The Blackboard): A common space for problems, partial solutions, and contributed information
3. Control Shell: Orchestration layer that manages agent interactions and workflow

Think of it as a highly efficient team of specialists, collaborating seamlessly. For instance, in a law firm, one agent might draft contracts whilst another ensures compliance, and a third manages client communications—all working in harmony through a shared understanding.

Beyond Interface-Driven Software

Traditional software interfaces were built around computer requirements rather than human work patterns. AI agents break these constraints by:

• Understanding natural language and intent
• Automatically generating programmes on-the-fly to execute tasks
• Operating across system boundaries through APIs
• Learning and improving from every interaction

For example, rather than navigating through multiple screens to generate a quarterly report, you might simply say, “Show me last quarter’s sales trends with year-over-year comparison,” and receive instant insights.

The Rise of Service-as-Software

With North America currently holding a 40% market share and the global market growing at a CAGR of 44.8%, we’re witnessing the emergence of “service-as-software”—transforming traditionally human-delivered services into software-driven solutions.

Real-world impact is already evident: organisations implementing AI agents in customer service report 40% faster response times whilst reducing operational costs by millions annually. This transformation extends beyond customer service to creative production, specialised consulting, and virtually every service-based industry.

Implications for Organisations

As AI agents proliferate, organisations should:

1. Invest in robust API infrastructure to enable agent integration
2. Prioritise data quality and governance
3. Redesign workflows around agent capabilities
4. Identify services suitable for agent-driven solutions
5. Develop frameworks for agent collaboration
6. Establish clear governance models

Looking Ahead: The Composable Future

The future of enterprise software will be increasingly composable, with AI agents serving as the connective tissue between capabilities. Key trends include:

• Evolution of agent orchestration frameworks
• Development of agent-specific programming languages
• Emergence of agent marketplaces
• Standardisation of communication protocols
• Integration of classical AI architectures with modern neural approaches

Whilst challenges exist—including data privacy concerns, workforce adaptation, and the need for robust governance—the trajectory is clear. With the market projected to reach USD 47.1 billion by 2030, organisations that embrace AI agents now will define what’s possible in their industries.

The age of separated systems is ending. The age of AI agents—powered by a fusion of classical AI architectures and modern neural approaches—has begun.

To learn more about leveraging AI agents for your organisation, contact us.