Agentic AI in Mendix

What if your app didn't just respond to users, but also performed actions itself? Imagine typing something in and the app then opens programs, fills in forms or processes reports without you having to click. That sounds futuristic, but it is already happening. And you can use it within your organization. With agentic AI and Mendix, the low-code platform for building apps at lightning speed, you can already discover today how far you can go with automation.

In this blog I explain what agentic AI actually is, how it works together with Mendix and, more importantly, how you can put it to smart use within your organization.

What is agentic AI and why is it interesting?

Agentic AI is artificial intelligence that does more than talk or give answers. It thinks along and carries out actions. Think of it as a digital assistant that understands what you ask, then clicks buttons, opens windows or fills in data by itself.

Below are a few examples of tasks you could have such an AI perform:

• “Open Excel and put the contents of this report into a new spreadsheet.”
• “Download yesterday's report and email it to the Finance team.”

The AI agent carries out these actions independently on a virtual computer, as if an employee were sitting behind it. And all of that through your app.

How do these AI agents work in practice?

Picture an app with a chat function. An employee types something in, for example an instruction to process customer data. That instruction is sent to an AI model, such as GPT-5 or Claude.

That AI model understands the intent, translates it into concrete steps (such as: open program, click here, type this) and sends these as instructions to a virtual computer. Via a local port you can even see on that computer's screen everything that is happening. If needed, the app also sends a screenshot back to the AI to check that the steps are being carried out correctly.

Concrete applications of agentic AI

Curious what agentic AI looks like in practice? Below you will find concrete examples of what you could already automate today. Some applications you can set up today with the right knowledge and existing Mendix tools. Other examples require a bit more technical depth or coordination and mainly offer a glimpse of where we are heading with smart process automation.

• Entering data into legacy systems
  Do you still have an outdated system in which employees enter data manually? Let your app take over this work. The AI can log in via the virtual computer, fill in fields and save data.
• Automatically merging Excel reports
  Imagine: the monthly reports are spread across three files. You ask your app to merge them. The AI opens Excel, retrieves the data, pastes everything neatly one below the other and saves the result.
• Taking screenshots of websites
  Do you regularly need to take screenshots of websites? Let the AI automatically navigate to the right pages, take screenshots and save them in SharePoint or Teams.
• Making customer service smarter
  Companies use agentic AI to speed up customer service processes. The AI automatically assesses incoming tickets, answers frequently asked questions and kicks off internal workflows.
• Optimizing inventory and delivery
  In logistics, agentic AI uses real-time data to adjust routes or reorder stock. The AI analyzes the current situation, compares alternatives and independently initiates follow-up steps.

Best of all: this is easier to realize in an application than you think. It all runs on the combination of Mendix + AI.

Why this is interesting for your organization:

• Save time
  Have repetitive tasks such as data entry, reporting or ticket handling carried out automatically. That leaves you time for more important work.
• Get started quickly
  Within Mendix, ready-made modules are available that let you quickly set up a working prototype. No complicated development projects are needed.
• Scalable without risk
  We recommend starting small. For example with a single internal process, and then expanding step by step once it works. That way you stay in control of both impact and costs.
• Forward-looking image
  By using AI for real actions instead of just smart answers, you show that you are not only experimenting, but also innovating where it counts.

But what about cost and security?

Yes, AI costs money. Every instruction to an AI model uses computing power and comes with associated costs. The trick is therefore to combine smart use of AI with tangible time savings or error reduction.

We recommend:

• Keep it manageable and make clear agreements about when and for what you use AI.
• Stay in control of what AI is allowed to do and which systems it may access.
• Experiment and work with AI in a safe, isolated virtual environment