Universities around the world are getting ready for a big change with agentic AI in 2026. Agentic AI is not like the chatbots we use now. Instead of just answering questions when you ask, agentic AI can work like a smart assistant that makes plans and does tasks on its own. It can work 24 hours a day without someone telling it what to do each time.

Universities are planning to use agentic AI in many ways. Digital helpers can answer student questions about getting into college. AI tutors can teach students using special question methods that help them learn better. Systems can watch for students who might drop out and help them before it's too late. Computers can check if international students' papers are real in seconds instead of weeks.

The technology is also helping with work behind the scenes. AI can handle paperwork like paying bills and checking if the university is following rules. It can even help write grant applications by searching for money for teachers' research. This means people who work at universities can spend more time on important work like teaching and helping students.

But there are things to worry about too. When AI makes decisions on its own, mistakes can happen very fast. Universities need to be careful and make sure they know who is responsible if something goes wrong. Some people think schools should be careful about letting AI do too much too quickly.

By the end of 2026, about 40% of school software programs might have these AI agents built in. Schools that use agentic AI well could do much better than schools that don't. The most important thing is that universities govern AI well and keep control over what it does.