Agentic AI: Opportunities and Risks as Businesses Tackle Innovation and Legal Challenges

Veteran AI specialists warn that the emergence of agentic artificial intelligence is set to reshape the global job market in ways that may be difficult for businesses to manage. As organizations rush to implement autonomous technologies capable of making decisions independently, the disruptive impact of these systems is already apparent, driving both remarkable advancements and notable corporate setbacks.

For example, Zeta Global introduced Athena by Zeta™, a conversational, highly intelligent agent aimed at transforming marketing and productivity processes. According to a Business Wire announcement, Athena is integrated into the company’s

Marketing Platform and leverages sophisticated analytics and agentic features to independently carry out tasks such as campaign optimization and outcome prediction. “Athena marks a new chapter in AI, where platforms not only answer questions but also actively drive business results,” a Zeta representative stated. In a similar vein, Joget, a business software provider, rolled out a no-code AI Agent Builder, allowing companies to automate repetitive functions in HR, procurement, and supply chain management while maintaining human control, as detailed in a Joget press release ( ). These innovations support Gartner’s forecast that by 2028, a third of enterprise software will feature agentic AI.

However, the fast-paced growth of the AI field has not been without difficulties. C3.ai, once a leading AI platform company, is now contending with increasing legal and financial troubles. Several law firms—including Levi & Korsinsky, Gross Law Firm, and Glancy Prongay & Murray—have initiated class-action lawsuits alleging securities violations: Levi & Korsinsky issued a notice about a lead plaintiff deadline (

), MarketScreener highlighted opportunities for shareholders ( ), and Portnoy Law Firm announced a class action for investors ( ). The company’s latest first-quarter financials revealed the consequences: revenue dropped to $70.3 million from $87.2 million year-over-year, and net losses increased to $124.8 million, according to a Motley Fool report ( ).

The difficulties faced by C3.ai mirror larger issues within the AI sector. Rival BigBear.ai also suffered from federal spending reductions, lowering its 2025 revenue projection to $125–140 million from $158.2 million in 2024. At the same time, C3.ai’s leadership change and dependence on Microsoft’s sales channels underscore the industry’s delicate balance between breakthrough innovation and practical execution. Experts point out that while C3.ai’s reduced forward price-to-sales ratio could attract investors, the company’s operational uncertainties are still considerable.

The contrasting nature of agentic AI—its opportunities and dangers—poses pressing challenges for businesses. As demonstrated by Zeta and Joget, autonomous technologies can boost efficiency and improve decision-making. Yet, the situation at C3.ai highlights the legal, governance, and leadership hurdles that come with AI’s rapid rise. “Agentic AI is more than just a tool—it’s a transformative force changing how companies operate, assign responsibility, and develop strategies,” one industry analyst commented. For organizations, the priority is clear: leverage the advantages of this technology while managing its risks with openness and adaptability.