CIOs need a practical framework that recognizes where they are and helps them scale agentic capabilities responsibly and effectively over time. Level 1: Information retrieval agents. Most organizations will begin here. Agents fetch data and return insights. For example, one global brokerage handles 54,000 calls daily, and advisers used to spend 90 minutes prepping for each. With agents, prep time now takes minutes. Results like this build momentum and prove that agentic AI can deliver value today. Level 2: Simple orchestration, single domain. Agents begin to act — updating records, coordinating tasks, scheduling services. This stage expands both technical complexity and organizational trust. Level 3: Complex orchestration, multiple domain. Agents manage multistep workflows and decision trees. What qualifies as “complex” depends on your industry and risk tolerance, but the concept is the same: greater autonomy within well-defined boundaries. Level 4: Multi-agent orchestration. Agents collaborate across domains, systems, even organizations. Think supply chain agents interacting with logistics partners. This is the frontier: The architecture required is significant, but so is the potential. The framework aims to provide a simple, accessible way for CIOs to make informed decisions about how, and how far, to want to scale agentic capabilities.