TLDR: Morgan Stanley anticipates that artificial intelligence agents will be the primary catalyst for the next significant evolution in messenger applications, transforming how users interact with digital platforms.
A recent analysis by Morgan Stanley indicates that AI-powered agents are poised to revolutionize the landscape of messenger applications. The financial giant predicts that these intelligent agents will be the driving force behind the next evolution of platforms such as WeChat, LINE, and Kakao, as these companies prepare to embed advanced AI capabilities directly into their services.
This projection stems from a comprehensive 109-page research report released by Morgan Stanley in June 2025, titled ‘Agents: Navigating the Next Era of AI’ (also referred to as ‘The Age of Agents Has Arrived’). The report delves deep into the future of Artificial Intelligence Agents, outlining their evolution, technological status, commercial implementation, and potential investment opportunities.
According to Morgan Stanley, an AI Agent is far more than a simple AI tool or assistant. It is defined as a ‘digital entity with goals, autonomous decision-making ability, and the capability to continuously execute tasks.’ This means an agent can plan, learn, and collaborate independently, distinguishing it from basic AI functions like a writing robot. Examples cited include an AI that can crawl data, generate content, and autonomously optimize formatting, or an intelligent agent that handles order placement, price checks, product comparisons, and reimbursements.
Morgan Stanley highlights the immense market potential for Agentic AI, estimating it to be a $52 billion opportunity currently, with projections to grow to $102 billion by 2028. The report suggests that 2025 marks the inaugural year for the commercialization of AI Agents, with expanding application scenarios ranging from office-based agents to industry-specific solutions.
Also Read:
- Agentic AI Startups Secure $2.8 Billion in Early 2025 Venture Capital, Signaling Transformative Workplace Shift
- Autonomous AI Agents Poised for Widespread Launch by End of 2025, Reshaping Industries
The impact of AI Agents is expected to be profound, potentially restructuring B-end software, automating forms, CRM, and sales forecasts, and even replacing some human processes within enterprises. Morgan Stanley believes these agents will become personal entry points, potentially replacing search engines and parts of existing applications, by integrating various software functions into a single intelligent entity. The report identifies several potential beneficiaries across different sectors, including hyperscale enterprises like Microsoft, Amazon AWS, and Google Cloud, as well as model providers such as OpenAI and Anthropic, cybersecurity firms, data vendors like Snowflake and Palantir, workflow automation companies like ServiceNow, and SaaS platforms including Salesforce and HubSpot.
