# Philip Rathle on why AI agents keep reaching for a knowledge graph

DevFeed: [Philip Rathle on why AI agents keep reaching for a knowledge graph](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/philip-rathle-on-why-ai-agents-keep-reaching-for-a-knowledge-graph-16045.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://workos.com/blog/philip-rathle-neo4j-knowledge-graph-agents-aie-2026>)

Author: WorkOS

Published: 2026-08-05T23:21:28Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [WorkOS Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/workos-blog.md>)

Topics: [Artificial Intelligence](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ai.md>), [Neo4j](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/neo4j.md>), [Graphs](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/graphs.md>), [graph-database](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/graph-database.md>), [data](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/data.md>)

Tags: [agents](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/agents.md>), [ai](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai.md>), [ai-agents](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai-agents.md>), [data](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data.md>), [graph](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/graph.md>), [graph-database](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/graph-database.md>), [knowledge-graph](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/knowledge-graph.md>)

## AI overview

WorkOS CEO Michael Grinich interviews Neo4j CTO Philip Rathle about using knowledge graphs as an AI knowledge layer. Rathle argues that agents need deterministic, explainable access to structured company data for questions where accuracy, sovereignty, and access controls are critical, while noting that graph retrieval can provide context for better model decisions.

## Source excerpt

Neo4j CTO Philip Rathle on why over 70% of new business is now the AI knowledge layer, where agents need deterministic answers, and how error rates compound.