So, there’s hype around agentic AI. A recent report from UiPath reveals that ninety percent of U.S. IT executives believe their business processes could benefit from agentic artificial intelligence, with seventy-seven percent ready to invest in it this year. The report, which surveyed over two hundred fifty IT executives from companies generating more than one billion dollars in revenue, also found that thirty-seven percent are already using agentic AI. However, concerns remain, with fifty-six percent of respondents citing IT security as a primary worry.
So I noted when Rich Freeman at Channelholic reported on his discussion with Gil Pekelman, CEO of Atera. He was revealed that their Autopilot feature, designed to autonomously handle end-user service requests, is already operational. Atera began this project in June 2022, leveraging GPT-3 technology and has confirmed that Autopilot can interact with user applications, execute plans, and learn from past experiences. The system can solve problems without technician intervention, effectively acting as a digital workforce available twenty-four hours a day. Moreover, it has been reported that managed service providers using Autopilot are charging extra for its capabilities. Pekelman emphasized that this advancement could lead to significant financial benefits for clients by reducing wait times for support. Autopilot is currently being tested by several managed service providers, with full-scale commercial production expected within the next two months.
Agentic? Maybe not. N-able launched an AI-powered developer portal aimed at accelerating API integrations with its IT management and cybersecurity platform. This new portal automates access to APIs and custom script creation, providing faster business value for IT and security services. Key features include interactive documentation, AI search capabilities, and dynamic code previews supporting over twenty programming languages. The portal is designed to help N-able partners build custom integrations, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance service delivery. The announcement was made on January 30, 2025, and emphasizes N-able’s commitment to an open platform that supports partners in enhancing efficiency through automation.
Why do we care?
Disclosure, I’m a N-Able shareholder. What qualifies as “agentic AI”? – There’s no clear standard. If companies are labeling basic workflow automation as “agentic,” the real deployment numbers may be much lower. That said, if Autopilot can truly handle IT service requests without human intervention, that’s a major shift in IT support models. MSPs charging extra for Autopilot’s capabilities suggests early signs of monetization, which is important for IT providers looking at AI as a revenue generator rather than just a cost-saver.
The fact that Atera started this project in June 2022 using GPT-3 is also notable—this isn’t a rushed GPT-4 or GPT-5 deployment; it’s been in the works for a while. That could mean a more refined, well-tested system rather than a knee-jerk AI add-on.