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Intelligent automation

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Intelligent automation (IA), or intelligent process automation, is a software term that refers to a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA).[1] Companies use intelligent automation to cut costs and streamline tasks by using artificial-intelligence-powered robotic software to mitigate repetitive tasks.[1] As it accumulates data, the system learns in an effort to improve its efficiency.[2] Intelligent automation applications consist of but are not limited to, pattern analysis, data assembly, and classification.[2] The term is similar to hyperautomation, a concept identified by research group Gartner as being one of the top technology trends of 2020.[3][4]

Technology

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Intelligent automation applies the assembly line concept of breaking tasks into repetitive steps to improve business processes.[5] Rather than having humans do each step, intelligent automation can replace steps with an intelligent software robot or bot, improving efficiency.[6]

Intelligent automation integrates robotic process automation (RPA) with artificial intelligence techniques (such as machine learning, natural-language processing, and computer vision) enabling systems to interpret data, make decisions, and adapt to changing inputs.[7] Modern platforms use a layered architecture combining workflow orchestration, low-code tools, integration middleware, and AI services to coordinate bots and data pipelines across organisational systems.[8]

Applications

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The technology is used to process unstructured content. Common real-world applications include self-driving cars, self-checkouts at grocery stores, smart home assistants, and appliances.[9] Businesses can apply data and machine learning to build predictive analytics that react to consumer behavior changes, or to implement RPA to improve manufacturing floor operations.[9][10]

For example, the technology has also been used to automate the workflow behind distributing COVID-19 vaccines. Data provided by hospital systems’ electronic health records can be processed to identify and educate patients, and schedule vaccinations.[11]

Intelligent Automation can provide real-time insights on profitability and efficiency. However, in an April 2022 survey by Alchemmy, despite three quarters of businesses acknowledging the importance of Artificial Intelligence to their future development, just a quarter of business leaders (25%) considered Intelligent Automation a “game changer” in understanding current performance. 42% of CTOs see “shortage of talent” as the main obstacle to implementing Intelligent Automation in their business, while 36% of CEOs see ‘upskilling and professional development of existing workforce’ as the most significant adoption barrier.[12][13]

IA is becoming increasingly accessible for firms of all sizes. With this in mind, it is expected to continue to grow rapidly in all industries.[14] This technology has the potential to change the workforce. As it advances, it will be able to perform increasingly complex and difficult tasks.[15] In addition, this may expose certain workforce issues as well as change how tasks are allocated.[16] Tools such as Semrush's AI Visibility Toolkit and Enterprise AIO reflect these developments by analysing how entities are referenced and represented within responses produced by large-language-model-based systems.[17]

Benefits

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Streamline Processes:

  • Repetitive manual tasks can put a strain on the workforce, these tasks can be automated to allow the workforce to work on more important matters that require human cognition.[15] Intelligent automation can also be used to mitigate tasks with human error which in turn increases proficiency.[15] This allows the opportunity for firms to scale production without the traditional negative consequences such as reduced quality or increased risk.[16]

Customer Service Improvement:

  • Customer service can be significantly improved, providing the firm with a competitive advantage.[16] IA utilizing chat features allows for instant curated responses to customers.[16] In addition, it can give updates to customers, make appointments, manage calls, and personalize campaigns.[14][15]

Flexibility:

  • Due to the wide range of applications, IA is useful across a variety of fields, technologies, projects and industries.[14] In addition, IA can be integrated with current automated systems in place.[14] This allows for optimized systems unique to each firm to best fit their individual needs.[14]

Capabilities

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  • Cognitive automation: Employs AI techniques to assist humans in decision-making and task completion
  • Natural language processing: Allows computers to automate knowledge work
  • Business process management: Enhances the consistency and agility of corporate operations
  • Process mining: Applies data mining methods to discover, analyze, and improve business processes
  • Intelligent document processing: Utilizes OCR and other advanced technologies to extract data from documents and convert it into structured, usable data
  • Computer vision: Allows computers to extract information from digital images, videos, and other visual inputs
  • Integration automation: Establishes a unified platform with automated workflows that integrate data, applications, and devices.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Businesses Expected to Lean on Automation for Recovery". Wall Street Journal. May 20, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Ray, A. (2020). Intelligent automation: A new frontier in capital markets operations. Journal of Securities Operations & Custody, 12(3), 266–277.
  3. ^ "Gartner Announces Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends For 2020". Forbes. October 21, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  4. ^ Myers, Marie. Intelligent Automation: Bridging the Gap between Business and Academia. Chapman and Hall/CRC. ISBN 978-1003804024.
  5. ^ "Succeed and compete with smarter, simpler and faster records management". www.unisys.com. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  6. ^ "Software bots could be the future of business automation". Axios. July 20, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  7. ^ "What is intelligent automation?". IBM.
  8. ^ Pascal, Bornet (2020). Intelligent Automation: Welcome To The World Of Hyperautomation: Learn How To Harness Artificial Intelligence To Boost Business & Make Our World More Human. WSPC. ISBN 978-9811235597.
  9. ^ a b "Gartner says low-code, RPA, and AI driving growth in 'hyperautomation'". VentureBeat. April 28, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  10. ^ DEBANJANA, DASGUPTA (2021). Intelligent Automation Simplified: Learn Enterprise Automation, AI-Led Automation, and Robotic Process Automation with Use-cases. BPB Publications. ISBN 978-9391392543.
  11. ^ "Notable Health seeks to improve COVID-19 vaccine administration through intelligent automation". Techcrunch. February 16, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  12. ^ "Two thirds of CEOs don't know where their business makes money, yet most don't see intelligent automation as a way to find out". Automation. 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  13. ^ "Intelligent Automation". Alchemmy. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  14. ^ a b c d e Hiter, S. (2023). Overview of Intelligent Automation. eWeek, N.PAG-N.PAG.
  15. ^ a b c d What is Intelligent Automation? - Intelligent Process Automation Explained - AWS. (n.d.). Amazon Web Services, Inc. Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/intelligent-automation/
  16. ^ a b c d What is Intelligent Automation? | IBM. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://www.ibm.com/topics/intelligent-automation
  17. ^ "Brands target AI chatbots as users switch from Google search". Financial Times.
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