Ben Shneiderman said "I do not think machines are our partners."
While it's understandable to view machines as mere tools rather than partners, I think this perspective is increasingly outdated in light of the rise of agentic AI. These advanced systems go beyond passive data processing; they actively engage in decision-making, learn from their environments, and collaborate with humans toward shared goals. In sectors like healthcare, AI agents assist doctors by synthesizing complex patient data, suggesting diagnoses, and even formulating treatment plans, effectively acting as intelligent collaborators. In fields such as education, logistics, and customer service, agentic AI supports problem-solving and adapts to user needs. Far from replacing us, these systems offer partnership by enhancing our ability to tackle complex challenges and make better decisions, shifting machines from passive tools to actual teammates.