Understanding Agentic AI: Innovation Exec and Ford Scientists Share Tips

From Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast by Endeavor Business Media’s Manufacturing Group

April 23, 2026 · 19 min · Episode 391

About this episode

The episode discusses the differences between agentic AI and traditional AI, featuring insights from experts in the field.

The generative AI trend based on large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has for years dominated the conversation about artificial intelligence. When something like agentic AI enters the conversation it’s easy to conflate terms, confuse agentic with generative, and not get the full picture. On this episode of Production Pulse we spoke with Ron Norris, former Director of Innovation at Georgia Pacific, and Nagadithya Nookala, product manager for data analytics and AI-related products and Sanjay Ahire, data scientist, both from Ford Motor Company. AI Agents Versus Agentic AI Nookala explains the difference between AI agents and agentic AI using the metaphor of a Google search. If you ask Google about a topic it provides you with links and materials, after which you’re on your own. Agentic AI would not only identify the links and materials but also digest the material to provide summaries, recommendations, essentially do the research and draw the appropriate conclusions for you. Ahire uses the metaphor of GPS systems used for navigation. Google maps provides directions on how to get somewhere. Agentic AI would not only identify the best route, it would also drive the car itself…

People in this episode

Guests: Ron Norris, Nagadithya Nookala, Sanjay Ahire

Topics covered

Agentic AI
Artificial Intelligence
Innovation
Data Analytics
Technology Trends

Keywords

Agentic AI
AI agents
generative AI
large language models
Ford Motor Company

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Georgia Pacific, Ford Motor Company

Products: ChatGPT, Google, Google maps