What is “Agentic” AI?
We’ve all been using automation for years to get rid of repetitive tasks. But standard automation has limits. It follows a strict set of rules. It does exactly what you tell it to do, and nothing more.
Agentic AI is different.
Think of it less like a calculator and more like a smart assistant. Oracle is building finance systems where AI agents don’t just wait for instructions. They actively look for patterns. They detect anomalies, help make decisions and even take action on their own.
As Rondy Ng from Oracle puts it, this tech doesn’t just automate the process, it elevates the performance. It’s the difference between a system that tells you what happened last month and a system that tells you what to do about next month.
Why the Gartner Nod Matters
It’s easy to ignore industry awards, but this one is important for two reasons: Consistency and Unity.
Oracle didn’t just win in one niche. They are leading the pack for all types of enterprises. This matters because AI doesn’t work well in silos. You can’t have “smart” finance if your HR or supply chain data is stuck in a different system.
Oracle’s platform connects everything. Finance, HR, Supply Chain, on one single data model. Because the AI is built directly into the workflows you use every day, it sees the whole picture.
How It Works in the Real World
So, what does this actually look like for a finance team?
Because the system is unified, the AI agents are constantly monitoring transactions and forecasts in the background. They don’t wait for you to run a report.
- They spot weird numbers before they become compliance issues.
- They predict financial outcomes based on real-time data.
- They connect the dots between finance and operations to keep things moving.
This isn’t just theory. Massive organizations like Hearst used this to clean up their complex accounting structures. PwC runs their global operations on it. Black & Veatch replaced their messy, fragmented systems with it.
The Strategic Impact for Finance Leaders
The role of the CFO is shifting. You aren’t just keeping score anymore; you’re helping drive the strategy of the business.
To do that, you need more than just a fast close. You need a system that thinks. Oracle’s move toward Agentic AI proves that the future of finance belongs to platforms that are integrated, intelligent, and ready to scale.
If you’re ready to stop looking backward at spreadsheets and start looking forward at opportunities, it might be time to look at Oracle Cloud ERP.
QA
How has the primary goal of finance teams evolved beyond just closing the books?
While speed and reducing manual entry used to be the main goals, the new standard is foresight. Finance teams now need to anticipate what is coming next and take action on data before it becomes a problem, rather than just reporting on the past.
What is the key difference between standard automation and “Agentic AI”?
Standard automation is rigid; it follows specific rules and does exactly what it is told. Agentic AI, however, acts like a smart assistant. It actively looks for patterns, detects anomalies and makes decisions or takes action without waiting for specific instructions.
Why is Oracle’s recognition in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant considered significant in this context?
Beyond the award itself, it signals a shift from basic automation to the era of Agentic AI. It also highlights Oracle’s “Unity”—their ability to lead in both product- and service-centric sectors, ensuring data isn’t trapped in silos.
Why does the text argue that a unified data model is essential for AI?
AI cannot work effectively in silos. For finance to be truly “smart,” it needs to see the whole picture. Oracle’s platform connects Finance, HR and Supply Chain on a single data model, allowing the AI to access all necessary information to make decisions.
What are specific examples of tasks that Agentic AI performs in the background?
The AI agents continuously monitor transactions to spot weird numbers before they become compliance issues, predict financial outcomes based on real-time data, and connect finance with operations to initiate next steps automatically.
How does Agentic finance change the role of the CFO?
The CFO transitions from being a “scorekeeper” to a strategic driver of the business. Instead of relying on static spreadsheets that look backward, they utilize a system that “thinks” to help uncover opportunities and guide future strategy.