Understanding “Agentic” Artificial Intelligence & the Perils in Its Use
Insights from Professor Blake A. Klinkner on cybersecurity risks and responsible legal practice
Professor Blake A. Klinkner’s recent article, Understanding “Agentic” Artificial Intelligence & the Perils in its Use, offers a timely exploration of a rapidly evolving form of artificial intelligence that is reshaping professional workflows—particularly in the legal field.
At its core, agentic artificial intelligence refers to systems that go beyond simply generating responses and instead act autonomously to complete tasks, make decisions, and execute multi-step processes. Unlike traditional AI tools that require constant human prompting, these systems can plan, adapt, and carry out objectives with minimal supervision, marking a significant shift in how technology interacts with users and organizations.
Professor Klinkner concludes on a practical and forward-looking note. He emphasizes that attorneys can safely incorporate agentic AI into their practices by adopting strong governance frameworks, limiting system permissions, and maintaining human oversight. Careful implementation—paired with ethical awareness and cybersecurity safeguards—allows legal professionals to benefit from AI-driven efficiency without compromising client trust or professional responsibility.
