Agentic AI gains traction with Amazon’s Nova Act and OpenAI’s open-weight model

The competition to define the next era of agentic AI—systems capable of planning, reasoning, and executing tasks—continues to intensify as major tech firms introduce new AI models with varying levels of autonomy and openness.

Amazon has launched Nova Act, an AI-powered browser agent that operates much like a human user, handling low-risk, automated tasks. Meanwhile, OpenAI is preparing to release an open-weight language model, providing developers with access to its trained parameters for custom AI applications.

At the same time, China’s Zhipu AI has unveiled a free AI assistant aimed at strengthening its domestic market presence and competing with Western firms.

The launches signal a major shift in AI adoption strategies. While agentic AI holds vast potential, experts caution that its deployment in high-stakes enterprise environments requires further refinement.

‘The launch of Amazon Nova Act seems well suited for public-facing use cases with minimal risks, but enterprise adoption will take longer due to workflow complexity and operational concerns,’ said Sharath Srinivasamurthy, Associate VP of Research at IDC.

OpenAI’s move toward an open-weight model could accelerate AI customization efforts, aligning with growing enterprise demands for greater control.

Unlike fully open-source models that release training data and code, open-weight models provide access to trained parameters, enabling businesses to adapt AI to their specific needs.

‘The world is shifting towards open models,’ Srinivasamurthy added. ‘With Meta and DeepSeek gaining traction for their open approach, OpenAI’s move was only a matter of time. This will make the market even more competitive.’

Zhipu AI’s rise also introduces geopolitical factors, as China seeks to expand its AI leadership. The growing presence of Chinese AI firms may push multinational companies to reassess partnerships and compliance strategies in different markets.

‘The ascent of Zhipu AI highlights China’s increasing role in AI innovation, urging global businesses to carefully evaluate AI governance, security, and competitive strategy,’ said Abhivyakti Sengar, Practice Director at Everest Group.

As AI adoption accelerates, the evolving balance between control, performance, and openness is set to shape enterprise strategies in an increasingly competitive landscape.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.