Agent washing is what happens when vendors label systems as "agentic AI" that do not actually have the properties the term implies — specifically autonomy, reasoning, planning, and adaptability. A scripted chatbot, a decision tree, or a basic workflow tool can be called an agent without qualifying as one.
The term is analogous to greenwashing. Buyers who do not understand the distinction invest in systems that cannot do what was promised, leading to failed deployments and misplaced confidence. Knowing what genuine agentic AI looks like — and asking the right questions before buying — is the practical protection against it.
