Over 10 bn AI agents set to flood public services, redefine business by 2030: Gartner

Agentic AI is expected to transform how people interact with public services by enabling autonomous agents | Photo Credit: Reuters More than 10 billion autonomous AI agents created by individuals, companies and governments could strain public services by 2030, according to Gartner’s latest technology predictions. The research firm identified three major themes shaping the future: robots everywhere, the race from cost to value, and the rise of unforeseen challenges.Agentic AI is expected to transform how people interact with public services by enabling autonomous agents to identify opportunities, check eligibility and submit applications on behalf of users with minimal human intervention. However, the resulting surge in applications, claims and transactions could overwhelm government systems, requiring stronger frameworks for identity verification, trust and accountability.Gartner forecasts that by 2030, 80% of frontline workers at multinational companies will be supported by physical AI systems. At the same time, 80% of organisations offering public-facing AI services could face “cost exhaustion attacks”, where excessive AI usage drives up operational expenses.The AI revolution is also expected to reshape the energy sector. Gartner estimates that Global 2000 companies will collectively own more than $10 trillion worth of energy assets, turning them into potential power suppliers for electricity grids and AI data centres.The insurance industry, rather than regulators alone, is likely to become a key force in AI governance. Stricter underwriting standards for AI liability insurance could emerge as companies seek to reduce risks and insurance costs.By 2029, 25% of Global 500 companies are expected to continuously develop AI-powered, component-based products and services, creating a competitive advantage that could make traditional “fast follower” strategies obsolete. Meanwhile, 60% of organisations deploying AI will establish dedicated functions to measure AI costs against business value or profitability.AI cost management will become more sophisticated, with 60% of Global 500 companies expected to adopt AI FinOps controls at the inference stage by 2028, enabling real-time optimisation rather than reactive cost tracking. By 2030, 80% of Global 500 firms are projected to assign their CIO or Chief AI Officer as the “Evidence Custodian” responsible for AI accountability.Software development itself could undergo a major shift. Gartner predicts that by 2029, 80% of new applications will be designed for short-term use of less than a year, transforming traditional software lifecycles.“Many of the systems we take for granted today, from public services to software, energy and workforce models, will be fundamentally transformed by AI over the next decade,” said Daryl Plummer, Distinguished VP Analyst and Gartner Fellow.According to Gartner, the winners in an AI-driven economy will be organisations that balance rapid innovation with responsible governance, building capabilities to capture AI’s benefits while managing its unintended consequences.Physical AI — which extends artificial intelligence into the real world through robots, drones, autonomous vehicles and other embodied systems — is already helping industries improve safety, automate repetitive and hazardous tasks, and generate operational insights. Its adoption is expected to accelerate as AI moves beyond screens and into everyday environments. Published - September 25, 2026 09:31 pm IST