Artificial intelligence (AI) is entering a new phase as AI agents evolve from simple chatbots into personalised digital assistants. Industry leaders say users are increasingly looking for AI tools that can help with daily tasks, understand preferences and provide more relevant information.
The shift comes as businesses move beyond experimentation with AI.
According to research firm Gartner, more than 40 per cent of agentic AI projects could be cancelled by the end of 2027 due to rising costs, unclear business value and inadequate risk controls. The forecast highlights growing pressure on companies to focus on practical use cases rather than technology hype.
Speaking at AIBC Asia 2026, New Prontera Corp CEO Jared Dilinger said the market is moving beyond speculation. “As that hype calms down, you can see more of these specific niches that are more driven to solve solutions that the general public are really seeking for,” he said.
For years, chatbots mainly answered questions and provided basic information. Today’s AI agents are being designed to do much more. They can assist with scheduling, content creation, task management and personalised recommendations.
Dilinger said AI agents are becoming more human-like in the way they interact with users. He compared them to JARVIS, the fictional AI assistant from Marvel’s Iron Man movies, where technology acts as a digital helper rather than a simple tool.
“It feels more like this Jarvis from Iron Man,” he said, referring to AI assistants that can help users manage tasks, access information and support daily activities.
Businesses are also investing heavily in the technology. Gartner predicts that by 2028, at least 15 per cent of day-to-day work decisions will be made autonomously through agentic AI, compared with virtually none in 2024. The research firm also expects one-third of enterprise software applications to include agentic AI capabilities by 2028.
According to Dilinger, AI systems are becoming more effective as they gain access to better information and improved capabilities.
One of the biggest challenges facing AI systems has been accuracy. Early generative AI tools often produced incorrect or misleading information, a problem known as hallucination.
Dilinger said improvements in data access and information quality are helping AI agents deliver more reliable responses. He also highlighted the role Web3 technologies could play in verifying information.
“AI is an information layer. Web3 is a great way to check for viable information to make sure that it is true,” he said.
According to Dilinger, combining the two technologies could improve trust and verification as AI systems become more deeply integrated into everyday services. Industry analysts have also identified governance and reliability as major challenges for organisations deploying AI agents at scale, with many companies working to balance automation with oversight and accountability.
The growing adoption of AI agents is being driven by utility rather than novelty. Users are increasingly interested in tools that save time, simplify tasks and improve productivity.
However, Dilinger noted that consumers are becoming more selective about AI-generated content. As automated posts, videos and marketing materials become more common online, some users are showing greater interest in content that feels authentic and human.
“People like this unfiltered, more raw humanised feeling more so than ever,” he said.
He added that while AI-generated content continues to grow, many users still value authentic and original human experiences. The trend suggests that while AI is becoming more embedded in everyday life, human creativity and authenticity continue to play an important role in digital engagement.
Dilinger also pointed to Southeast Asia’s role in adopting emerging technologies. Countries such as the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand have been quick to embrace innovations ranging from cryptocurrency to artificial intelligence.
The region’s growing digital economy is attracting increasing attention from technology companies. According to the e-Conomy SEA 2025 report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company, Southeast Asia’s digital economy is expected to surpass US$300 billion in gross merchandise value, reflecting continued growth in digital services and online adoption.
Dilinger said the region’s large population, strong developer community and technology-focused workforce make it an attractive market for companies building AI and Web3 products.
As AI agents become more capable, Southeast Asia is expected to remain an important testing ground for new digital services, with companies increasingly focusing on practical applications that support users in their daily lives.
