Agentic AI Turns the Cloud into a Mere Executor

The Google Cloud Summit held in London promised discussions on databases and serverless architecture, but attendees found a different reality: the cloud was almost a footnote, and the absolute spotlight was on agentic AI. This shift in focus is not anecdotal; it marks a turning point in how companies conceive technology and its role in digital transformation.

What happened?

The cloud, which for years was the center of corporate technology strategy, has become a mere executor of autonomous systems. At the event, conversations revolved around AI agents capable of making decisions and executing tasks without direct human intervention, relegating infrastructure to the background. This phenomenon reflects a broader trend: agentic AI is redefining the very purpose of the cloud, which is no longer just to store data or host applications, but to support autonomous entities that operate proactively.

Why does it matter?

The relevance of this change lies in the fact that European companies, according to event data, represent only 8% of global AI spending. This figure reveals a significant gap in the adoption of transformative technologies. Many European organizations still treat AI as a basic productivity tool, focused on cutting costs, rather than leveraging it to redesign their operations and generate new revenue streams. An example cited at the summit contrasts a European bank using AI to reduce expenses with a US bank using it to create new business lines, demonstrating that the difference is not in technology, but in strategic ambition.

The mistake of automating what exists

One of the most common mistakes experts observe is assuming that all current workflows deserve an AI agent. Companies often map their processes and ask how an agent can automate a specific task, but this approach is counterproductive. The right question should be: why does this process exist in the first place? Many business processes were designed around human limitations, organizational silos, or legacy technology that are no longer relevant. Automating an obsolete process only creates a faster version of something that perhaps should not exist. The real opportunity lies in eliminating complexities and redesigning the operating model from scratch, rather than maintaining past practices with more expensive tools.

“Instead of asking how AI can automate current workflows, we should ask: if human working hours and attention limits no longer existed, would we design these workflows the same way?”

The mindset problem in Europe

Europe's low AI investment is not due to a lack of technology, but to a wrong approach: many companies start with technology and then look for a problem to solve. Those that succeed do the opposite: they start with a business problem and then decide if AI is the right tool. This difference in mindset is crucial. While European companies focus on cost savings, American ones are turning their cost centers into revenue engines. The technology is the same; what changes is the strategic vision.

What consequences will it have?

This shift has profound implications for the future of work and business competitiveness. Companies that adopt agentic AI with a redesign mindset will be able to offer more personalized services, operate with greater efficiency, and discover new business models. Conversely, those that limit themselves to automating what exists will fall behind. Moreover, the cloud, as infrastructure, will become a commodity: the value will be in the agents that use it, not in the platform itself. This will force cloud providers to innovate in agent orchestration and management services, and companies to rethink their technology strategies.

What should readers know?

For business leaders and technology professionals, the lesson is clear: agentic AI is not a simple upgrade of traditional automation. It requires a mindset shift that begins by questioning existing processes and designing workflows that leverage AI's autonomous capabilities. Companies must ask not only how AI can help, but which processes should be eliminated or completely redesigned. Additionally, they should consider AI as an opportunity to generate revenue, not just reduce costs. The technology is already here; the difference will be made by each organization's ambition and strategic vision.

In summary, the Google Cloud Summit in London has highlighted that agentic AI is changing the role of the cloud, transforming it into a mere executor of autonomous systems. This shift offers a unique opportunity for European companies to close the AI adoption gap, provided they adopt a strategic approach that prioritizes process redesign and value generation, rather than limiting themselves to automating what exists.