Last week, Snowflake took a major step toward enterprise agentic AI with the launch of Cortex Agents. This new platform feature is set to redefine how enterprises extract new value from data by enabling autonomous, agentic AI to orchestrate complex workflows across both structured and unstructured datasets. At 7Rivers, we see this as a natural evolution that aligns perfectly with our Data Native™ Model—an enterprise approach designed to help our customers create a robust data capability. This capability also serves as a domain model for agentic tools, which can be built upon to extract insights and drive actions from data.
Cortex Agents: The Game-Changer in Agentic AI
Snowflake’s Cortex Agents are built to operate as true digital agents. By leveraging Claude 3.5 for advanced reasoning (other models can be substituted, but choices are currently limited), along with Cortex Search and Cortex Analyst for data retrieval and SQL generation, these agents can autonomously plan tasks, execute them, and even refine their approach based on the results. This means organizations can now automate workflows that were once manual and time-consuming, driving efficiency and unlocking new value across the enterprise. Cortex Agents represent an iterative but mature approach to agentic AI development, seamlessly integrating diverse data sources while ensuring strict governance and security standards.
The 7Rivers Data Native™ Advantage
At 7Rivers, our Data Native™ Model is built on the philosophy that a strong data foundation is critical to realizing the full potential of AI. Our framework spans three essential layers:
- Foundation: Establishing scalable, secure modern cloud data infrastructures that support and embrace modern data architectures.
- Insights: Transforming raw data into actionable intelligence using advanced analytics including machine learning.
- Actions: Enabling autonomous workflows that execute complex, multi-step processes across various business functions.
This layered approach is inherently aligned with the agentic AI paradigm. By combining Cortex Agents with our Data Native™ Model, enterprises can not only extract valuable insights but also enable autonomous decision-making across every level of the organization.
Synergy Across Business Spheres
Our data modernization playbook—spanning Customer, Products, Partner, Operations, and Employees—identifies key areas where both data focused solutions and generative AI can improve existing operations and create new value streams. With the advent of Cortex Agents, organizations gain the ability to build comprehensive solutions that act as digital workforces. These autonomous agents can manage tasks such as:
- Customer Engagement: Automating support and personalized interactions to improve satisfaction.
- Product Optimization: Using real-time insights to drive continuous product innovation.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamlining workflows and reducing manual intervention.
- Partner Collaboration: Enhancing data sharing and communication across networks.
- Employee Productivity: Providing decision-support tools that empower teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
The Cortex Agents announcement underscores the growing importance of enabling AI to autonomously execute complex workflows. As emerging reasoning models, such as GPT-o3 and DeepSeek R1, further expand the number of viable agentic use cases—by breaking down intricate prompts into smaller, manageable tasks—the quality and efficiency of AI outputs are poised to improve dramatically, reducing errors and enhancing result prioritization. This technical improvement results in exponentially better outputs from the generative AI model, which, in turn, dramatically improves agentic AI’s ability to execute a given task and achieve a goal.
Looking Ahead: A Unified Vision for Autonomous Data
Snowflake’s recent announcement is more than just an incremental update—it signals a shift toward a future where AI agents operate with minimal human intervention, executing complex, multi-layered tasks while maintaining strong governance and security. When paired with the 7Rivers Data Native™ Model, this approach provides an enterprise-level solution that spans the data lifecycle from acquisition to actionable insights.
For technology and business decision makers, this convergence offers a clear catalyst to accelerate data modernization initiatives but also to begin to think about digital workforces that drive efficiency and innovation. As organizations continue to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, integrating agentic AI into a Data Native framework is emerging as a strategic imperative.
At 7Rivers, we’re excited to help our clients harness this transformative potential. Learn more about how our Data Native™ Model can work in tandem with cutting-edge solutions like Snowflake’s Cortex Agents to redefine the future of enterprise data.
