EMBank CEO Sarp Demiray on Agentic AI and Its Implications

Artificial intelligence has entered a decisive new stage. Rather than functioning as passive tools awaiting commands, systems are beginning to act with growing independence. This development, known as Agentic AI, is already reshaping industries and demanding new approaches to governance and trust. In his latest LinkedIn Pulse article, Sarp Demiray, Chief Executive Officer of European Merchant Bank (EMBank), examines the implications of this shift for healthcare, defence, industry, and financial services.

Agentic AI refers to autonomous software that is capable of perceiving its environment, planning actions, making decisions, and executing tasks with minimal human oversight. Analysts forecast that by 2028, 15% of everyday business decisions will be made by such systems, and one in three enterprise applications will integrate agentic features. Far from speculative, these systems are already at work: hospitals are trialling agents to review clinical data, while defence departments test them for logistics and cybersecurity.

Financial services represent one of the most promising yet challenging fields for adoption. Demiray points to agentic payments, where AI agents autonomously negotiate invoice terms, reconcile accounts, and initiate transfers. Treasury operations could become more responsive, with agents adjusting liquidity positions in real time. Fraud detection, too, is shifting from delayed analysis to continuous surveillance, enabling autonomous agents to block suspicious activity as it emerges. These advancements, however, bring risks if not managed within clear frameworks.

Demiray underscores that governance is not optional. Gartner warns that more than 40% of agentic AI projects may be abandoned by 2027 because of poor integration, weak oversight, or inadequate returns. To mitigate these risks, Demiray advocates audit trails for every action, explicit boundaries for autonomy, and instant override mechanisms. In his words, the ability to "shut down" agents remains essential in high-stakes sectors such as banking and healthcare.

Established in Vilnius and licensed by the European Central Bank, the bank serves SMEs in Lithuania and fintechs worldwide, offering a portfolio that includes safeguarding accounts, trade and investment loans, international payments through SEPA and SWIFT, as well as embedded finance solutions. EMBank combines digital agility with rigorous compliance, ensuring that innovation aligns with stability and trust.

The article concludes with a broader reflection: Could Agentic AI represent a change on par with the Industrial Revolution? While the potential for efficiency and inclusion is immense, unchecked autonomy could diminish accountability, amplify biases, or erode human connection in services. Demiray calls for organisations to treat these systems as new economic actors rather than extensions of existing software.
For EMBank's CEO, the path forward lies in proactive governance, human-centric design, and resilience. Only by embedding these principles into agentic systems from the outset can society unlock their benefits while safeguarding against their risks.

Read the full article on LinkedIn Pulse. - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/agentic-ai-already-work-sarp-demiray-eebwf/

Company Name: European Merchant Bank (EMBank)
Contact Person: Dilek Isik
Email: dilek.isik@em.bank
Country: Lithuania
Address: Pirkliu Klubas, Gedimino 35, 01119, Vilnius, Lithuania
Website: https://em.bank/

European Merchant Bank (EMBank) is a specialised financial institution licensed by the European Central Bank and headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania. The bank supports SMEs and fintechs with regulated accounts, embedded financial infrastructure, payment processing, and credit solutions. EMBank operates in line with EU standards and participates in Lithuania's deposit guarantee scheme.
Further information can be found at https://em.bank

This release was published on openPR.