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Conceptualizing Cognitive and Agentic Digital Twins

Volume 1, No. 2 (2026) • Published May 31, 2026
Dr. Antonio Silva Sprock Author
Central University of Venezuela
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9911-4774
Dr. Oscar Silva Sprock Author
Dassault Systèmes, United States
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5069-2541
Source: International Multidisciplinary Journal of Emerging Technologies and Applications (IMJETA), ISSN 3135-6214, Vol. 1 No. 2 (2026), pages 16–40.
Keywords: Digital Twin, Cognitive Digital Twin, Agentic AI, Large Language Models, Cyber-Physical Systems, Semantic Interoperability, Multi-Agent Systems

Abstract

Digital Twins (DTs) have extended beyond the original concept of a static digital model, to a dynamic, data-driven, and increasingly intelligent cyber-physical structure, which underlies modern Industry 4.0 systems. The paper gives a comprehensive and integrative conceptualization of DTs, Cognitive Digital Twins (CDTs), and agentic AI-enhanced DTs through an organized narrative literature review which synthesizes the foundational definitions, the theoretical differences between DTs and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), and the evolution of Digital Models and Digital Shadows to fully synchronous, two-way DTs. The research synthesizes the major architectural models, such as layered, multi-dimensional, cognitive and agentic models, and discusses the facilitating technologies that enable real-time synchronization, semantic reasoning, and autonomous decision-making. The state-of-the-art analysis indicates that the key research trends include ecosystem-based DTs, AI-driven analytics, semantic enrichment, and the development of LLM-enabled agentic DTs that are able to plan and coordinate actions in a goal-oriented manner. The paper also compares industrial and open-source DT platforms, outlines the present-day limitations in semantic interoperability, cognitive integration, and autonomy, and demonstrates real-world applications in manufacturing, healthcare, smart cities, and energy systems. The discussion proposes future research directions such as standardized cognitive layers, safe LLM grounding, multi-DT coordination, and governance frameworks of autonomous DT ecosystems. Overall, the paper contributes a unified conceptual model and a holistic synthesis that connects theory, architecture, technology, and application, providing a foundation for advancing the next generation of intelligent Digital Twin systems.