ASU's approach to agentic AI

Custom enterprise agent tools

ASU is expanding the CreateAI platform by developing built-in Enterprise Agent Tools that connect to internal data systems.

These custom tools enable AI agents to directly retrieve and use data from core enterprise sources like a learning management system (LMS), Salesforce, the data warehouse, the ASU iSearch directory, and ASU websites By tapping into these systems, agents can automate routine queries, generate data-driven insights, and streamline workflows at scale across the university.

Third-party enterprise integrations

Through strategic partnerships, ASU is integrating its AI agents with widely used external platforms. In particular, ASU is working with a third-party vendor (such as Composio.dev) to bridge AI agents with services like Canvas (learning management), Salesforce (CRM), ServiceNow (IT service management), Google Drive, and more.

User-built AI tools

To empower innovation across the university, ASU is enabling faculty, staff, and departments to create their own AI-driven tools within the MyAI Builder environment.

In this model, end-users can write custom functions or plug-ins (i.e. their own “tools” for the agents) to address specific needs. This ensures that while innovation is decentralized, all custom tools meet the university’s data privacy and security standards.

Community-shared AI library

ASU is also fostering a culture of collaboration by developing a shared AI tool library for the community. This library will act as a repository of agent tools and integrations that others have built. Users can contribute their AI tools for others to reuse or adapt, and they can discover existing tools to incorporate into their own projects.

Over time, this community-driven library will accelerate the spread of effective AI solutions across the institution.

Agentic AI for the student experience

Agentic AI represents the next evolution of artificial intelligence, moving beyond static algorithms to systems that can autonomously set goals, adapt in real-time, and proactively collaborate with humans and other AI tools.

By allowing AI to take on more complex, dynamic tasks with minimal human guidance, agentic AI will enable people to focus on higher-level strategy and decision-making. This shift holds tremendous promise for institutions like ASU, where innovation, scalability, and impact are key priorities.

At ASU, we’re bringing this technology to life by integrating AI agents into the CreateAI platform, enabling them to coordinate tasks, access resources, and manage processes end-to-end.

These agents will operate within defined ethical and institutional boundaries, ensuring that while they act autonomously, they remain aligned with the university’s values and objectives.

Real-world use cases - ranging from campus logistics to specialized research support - demonstrate the direct impact of agentic AI on day-today operations and long-term strategic goals.