As enterprises face increasing pressure to manage vast and complex IT environments, the demand for faster and more efficient IT management is rising. Traditional operating methods are proving insufficient, making the adoption of Agentic AI essential for organizations aiming to achieve truly autonomous IT operations. This innovative technology enhances decision-making and enables businesses to remain agile in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. 

The 2025 Autonomous IT Report 

Digitate, in collaboration with Sapio Research, conducted a comprehensive survey involving 600 IT decision-makers from large North American organizations that have implemented AI within the last two years. This research, building on the 2023 US and 2024 European studies, highlights the emergence of Agentic AI as a collaborative partner. Enterprises report high trust and confidence in AI, measurable financial impacts from its adoption, and the ability to navigate regional differences in deployment strategies as complex dynamics shape both strategy and execution. 

For a deeper look at the full results, download the report Agentic AI and the Future of Enterprise IT. 

AI Tools leveraged to data

Key Takeaways from the Research

1. Trust in AI is High, but Varies by Role

The research reveals that trust in AI has surged, with nine out of ten respondents considering AI systems trustworthy. However, trust levels differ significantly between executives and practitioners. Executives view AI as a strategic force and financial catalyst, while practitioners, responsible for ensuring reliability and governance, approach AI with more caution. This gap signals the need for clearer collaboration and better alignment between leadership and implementation teams.

2. AI Investments are Surging and Yielding Returns

Today’s AI investments are strategic and deliberate, with enterprises averaging $187 million spent on AI implementation and seeing returns of $221 million. This return on investment (ROI) has consistently grown, with significant efficiency gains reported in 2023 and strong European and North American ROI expected in 2024 and 2025, respectively. 

Across three consecutive studies, Digitate’s global research has tracked the shift of enterprise IT from early automation to intelligent systems. What began as a cost-saving exercise is maturing into a profit-driving strategy. Indeed, in just three years, enterprise AI has matured from an operational utility to a strategic capability - one trusted, governed, and delivering measurable ROI

Avi Bhagtani, Chief Marketing Officer, Digitate

3. IT as the Proving Ground for AI

IT remains the most advanced area for AI adoption across business functions. According to the research, 78% of organizations have deployed AI in IT operations, leading to improved decision accuracy, operational efficiency, and data management. For enterprises investing over $500 million, AI is transforming IT from a support function into a strategic intelligence engine that influences revenue, customer experience, and business continuity. 

AI in IT today vs in the next 12 months

4. Agentic AI: Achieving Outcomes Beyond Task Automation

Unlike traditional AI focused on automating repeatable tasks, Agentic AI interprets changing conditions and executes multi-step, goal-oriented workflows. This evolution shifts the role of IT professionals from managing systems to orchestrating collaborative ecosystems where human experts and AI Agents work side by side, enhancing proactivity and context-awareness. 

Agentic AI Functions

5. Challenges in AI-Driven IT

Despite AI’s capabilities, enterprises face challenges such as budget constraints, talent shortages, and governance requirements that can hinder progress. External factors like cybersecurity threats and rising technology costs further complicate integration into legacy environments. Human oversight remains crucial to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance. 

From Trust to Transformation 

Despite these challenges, the trend toward a more autonomous operating model is clear. Nearly three-quarters of organizations believe they will achieve semi- or fully autonomous status within the next five years, a significant increase from just a quarter in 2023. This shift is driven by the evolution of automation, AI, and Agentic AI, enabling systems to make decisions, coordinate resources, and optimize performance while seamlessly partnering with human teams. 

The Bottom Line: The Autonomous Enterprise Era Has Arrived! 

We are entering a new phase of enterprise evolution where AI is not merely a tool but a philosophy guiding organizational operations – intelligent, adaptive, and outcome-oriented. Agentic AI is central to this transformation, empowering IT to transition from reactive firefighting to proactive orchestration. It enables teams to anticipate change rather than merely react to it, transforming IT from a cost center into a strategic driver of value. 

To succeed, organizations must commit to trust, transparency, and talent development. Clear governance is essential to ensure AI decisions are explainable and ethical. Additionally, cultivating a workforce skilled in partnering with intelligent systems will unlock new levels of agility and intelligence, positioning IT as a leader in driving business forward. 

To learn more about how enterprises are reshaping IT with Agentic AI, download the full report here. Discover how Digitate can transform your IT operations by scheduling a demo with us today.  Â