Agentic AI in Chemical Engineering 5.0: Current Landscape and Future Outlook

Abstract

The convergence of Chemical Engineering 5.0 and Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) marks a paradigm shift in the chemical industry. Unlike traditional AI, intelligent agents do not just analyze data; they reason, plan, execute complex tasks in closed-loop systems. Today, this technology optimizes operational efficiency in chemical plants through advanced predictive maintenance and autonomous real-time tuning of process variables, drastically reducing energy consumption and carbon footprints. In the near future, Agentic AI will be the cornerstone of Self-Driving Labs, where multi-agent systems will independently design new catalysis and materials by integrating molecular simulation and robotic experimentation without constant human intervention. This evolution toward a human-centric industry’ will allow engineers to shift into strategic and ethical oversight roles, while agents manage supply chain resilience and industrial symbiosis. Therefore, the primary goal of this work is to demonstrate how Agentic AI is not merely a computational tool, but an essential autonomous collaborator for achieving sustainability and mass customization that defines the era of Chemical Engineering 5.0.