Agent management platforms emerge to tackle enterprise AI agent sprawl
Updated
Updated · ZDNet · May 4
Agent management platforms emerge to tackle enterprise AI agent sprawl
11 articles · Updated · ZDNet · May 4
Enterprises have 28.6 million active AI agents globally, a total Statista forecasts will exceed 2.2 billion by 2030.
Experts say the platforms provide observability, policy guardrails, security controls and lifecycle management as agents increasingly share access to sensitive corporate data and workflows.
But adoption can deepen vendor lock-in and reshape permissions, integrations and operating models, prompting calls for cross-functional oversight from engineering, security, legal and business leaders.
As AI agents become 2026's top security threat, are companies building the tools of their own demise?
The cure for AI 'agent sprawl' is here, but is the risk of vendor lock-in a price worth paying?
Managing the AI Agent Explosion: How AMPs Deliver 170% ROI Amidst $15B Market Growth (2026-2029)
Overview
The Agent Management Platform (AMP) market is set to explode from $5 million in 2026 to $15 billion by 2029, driven by the rapid growth of autonomous AI agents in enterprises. This surge creates complex challenges known as agent sprawl, leading to security risks like Shadow AI and regulatory pressures. AMPs address these by providing centralized control, multi-vendor interoperability, and embedded ethical guardrails, enabling enterprises to manage AI agents securely and efficiently. These platforms deliver over 170% ROI within 12-18 months by reducing costs and mitigating risks. However, orphaned agents and regulatory lag create accountability gaps, prompting innovations like blockchain audit trails. Overall, AMPs are essential for balancing AI autonomy with control and ensuring trustworthy AI operations.