Schools and universities around the world are welcoming a new kind of artificial intelligence called agentic AI into their classrooms. This weekly update explores how this technology is changing education and what it means for students and teachers.

Agentic AI is more powerful than the simple chatbots many students have used before. Instead of just answering questions, agentic AI can think ahead, make plans, and complete many tasks by itself. Think of it like having a smart assistant that doesn't just tell you answers but actually helps you learn in a way that fits your needs.

The University of Southern California in the United States made big news this week by opening a special research lab dedicated to agentic AI. USC's Marshall School of Business teamed up with Thunder, a company backed by Salesforce Ventures, to create this lab. The goal is simple: prepare students for a future where agentic AI is everywhere in business.

What makes this lab special is that students won't just learn about agentic AI in theory. Instead, they will work on real problems for actual companies. This hands-on approach helps students understand how businesses are changing because of AI. The lab will also connect students with internships and career opportunities at companies using cutting-edge AI technology.

Carter Wigell, who founded Thunder, called agentic AI "the most significant business shift of our lifetimes". By combining USC's academic strength with industry partnerships, the lab aims to train the next generation of business leaders who can succeed in this new era.

But USC isn't the only school thinking about agentic AI. Universities everywhere are grappling with how to bring this technology into their systems. Many schools tried simple AI tools first, like chatbots that answer basic questions. Now they're ready for something more advanced.

The challenge is that many schools use old computer systems that weren't built for agentic AI. These legacy platforms can't handle the complex tasks that AI agents need to do. For agentic AI to work well, schools need modern systems with unified data and flexible interfaces that both humans and machines can use.

Experts say schools must choose their technology carefully. Using the right virtual learning environment is critical for successfully using agentic AI. Schools with outdated systems risk creating frustrating experiences for students and teachers alike.

When schools get it right, agentic AI can help in many ways. Students might use AI to translate content into their language, summarize long readings, or follow personalized learning paths—all within their school's main platform without needing external apps. This keeps their private information safer.

Teachers can benefit too. Agentic AI might help them align grading rubrics, identify students who are struggling by looking at patterns, and suggest specific ways to help those students. Imagine a teacher having a smart assistant that notices when a student needs extra support and recommends exactly what to do.

School administrators could use agentic AI to handle routine questions and paperwork automatically, freeing up time for more important work. According to research, 80 percent of higher education institutions worldwide now use a virtual learning environment. The key is using these platforms to their full potential with agentic AI.

In California, the AI community gathered at UC Santa Cruz on October 6 for a major event called "AI Frontier: Data, Agents & Robots". More than 200 people—including builders, investors, and researchers—came together to discuss AI's future. The event featured panels specifically about agentic AI, showing how important this technology has become.

Yi Zhang, who directs the Generative AI Center at UC Santa Cruz, said the event showed the center's mission of building an open AI ecosystem where schools, businesses, and communities work together. These kinds of partnerships help ensure that AI development considers education's needs.

Meanwhile, experts are warning that AI requires schools to completely rethink how education works. Traditional teaching assumed students needed teachers to access expert knowledge. But now, a student anywhere can get detailed explanations from AI at any time. This changes what schools are for.

Several schools are already experimenting with new approaches. Arizona State University in the United States partnered with OpenAI to explore AI tutoring and adaptive learning systems. Minerva University uses online seminars focused on discussion and critical thinking rather than lectures. MIT launched programs exploring responsible AI education. Georgia Tech uses AI teaching assistants in its online computer science program.

These examples show different ways schools can adapt. Some focus on personalization, letting students learn at their own pace. Others emphasize project-based work where students tackle complex problems using whatever tools help, including AI.

The education world is also seeing new training opportunities emerge. This week, a new agentic AI engineering course opened applications for its October cohort. These specialized programs show growing demand for people who understand how to build and work with AI agents.

As agentic AI becomes more common in education, schools must address important questions about fairness, teacher training, and making sure all students benefit from these tools. The institutions taking thoughtful approaches now will help shape education's future for everyone.