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Agentic AI – Regulation, Autonomy and Power Politics

  • Writer: Bridge Connect
    Bridge Connect
  • Aug 28, 2025
  • 1 min read

Introduction: Beyond Chatbots

Agentic AI is not about chatbots giving answers. It is about AI systems capable of autonomous execution - from software engineering to cyber defence. That autonomy is the reason boards, regulators, and defence ministries are paying attention.


1. Commercial Promise

  • Automating end-to-end workflows.

  • Building software stacks with minimal human intervention.

  • Orchestrating supply chain logistics.


2. Regulatory Patchwork

  • EU AI Act: likely to treat agentic AI as high-risk, requiring oversight.

  • U.S.: mixed signals, but national security concerns will drive restrictions.

  • China: embracing agentic AI within state-controlled guardrails.


3. National Security Risk

  • Agentic AI could be weaponised in cyber operations.

  • Misalignment risk: autonomous systems may act unpredictably.

  • State interest: controlling compute resources to constrain risk.


"Agentic AI is where commercial ambition collides with state control—it is the new frontier of governance risk."


4. Board-Level Questions

  • What governance framework exists for AI systems that act without direct human prompts?

  • Are liability structures clear if an agentic AI causes harm?

  • Should your company lobby for, or against, restrictive legislation?


Conclusion

Expect Q4 headlines to elevate agentic AI from a research topic to a boardroom and cabinet-level priority. The debate will not just be about innovation - but about sovereignty and control.

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