Agentic AI is a ‘superpower’ according to Decidr. Its CEO says using it to reduce overhead, but not grow revenue, is a mistake.
Agentic AI represents an advanced form of artificial intelligence that moves beyond simple task execution to autonomous, goal-oriented behaviour, according to research by McKinsey & Company. As McKinsey describes it, these systems are “virtual coworkers” that can autonomously plan and execute multistep workflows.
This is a significant step beyond traditional AI, which is typically reactive and performs a single task based on a specific prompt or rule. Agentic AI on the other hand, can independently determine the best path to a solution.
For a business, this means the AI isn’t just a tool for one function; it’s an intelligent system that can analyse market trends, optimise supply chains, and adjust marketing campaigns in real-time to work toward a single objective like increasing sales.
As Decidr CEO David Brudenell tells Forbes Australia, “Give agentic AI an outcome like “grow sales by 20%” or “improve cashflow resilience,” and it will activate multiple agents to look across every data source – finance, HR, customer interactions, supply chains, even external market signals – to make progress toward that outcome.”
So, with such vast capabilities at our disposal, why aren’t more businesses utilising it?
National AI Readiness Index Report
A report released this week by ASX-listed Decidr suggests that while adoption of AI is rapidly increasing, the technology is primarily used to cut costs, rather than to grow revenue.
Decidr’s “National AI Readiness Index Report 2025” indicates that businesses are moving into AI implementation without comprehensive strategies, potentially overlooking substantial opportunities.
The report notes that 57 per cent of Australian organisations are prioritising efficiency gains and cost reduction through AI, while just 25 per cent are focusing on using AI to drive revenue growth.
“Too many businesses are treating AI as an expense to manage rather than an engine for growth,” says Brudenel. This concentration on cost-cutting may limit innovation and prevent businesses from unlocking the full potential of AI, the CEO says.
The need to prioritise efficiency
While enthusiasm for AI is high right now, a focus on cost reduction over growth strategies limits the full benefits of the technology, according to the report.
“What’s most alarming is that only 25% cite competitive pressure as an AI driver at all. Many businesses don’t realise their competitors might already be pulling ahead through smarter AI strategies,” says Brudenell.
The study found that 76% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are beginning AI adoption without a formal roadmap, despite a strong belief that the technology will transform their business within the next year. While 68% of SMEs believe that AI tools will give them a competitive edge, 9 out of 10 are using basic Large Language Models (LLMs).
The report indicates that the focus on efficiency is most evident in the areas where businesses expect to see the most benefit from AI. Marketing and customer support are tied at the top (46% each), but those departments are using AI to streamline processes and reduce operational expenses, rather than enhancing customer experience or boosting sales figures.
“Many businesses don’t realise their competitors might already be pulling ahead through smarter AI strategies.”
David Brudenell
The report also reveals missed opportunities in other crucial areas. Human resources ranks lowest for expected AI benefits (27%), suggesting that businesses may be overlooking the potential of AI to improve workforce management, talent acquisition, and employee development – all of which can contribute to long-term growth.
The top barriers hindering effective AI adoption are budget constraints (28%) and security concerns (29%). While these are valid challenges, the report’s findings suggest that a lack of strategic planning and understanding of AI’s growth potential are also contributing factors.
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