Intelligent automation explained

Intelligent automation (IA), or alternately 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. The term is similar to hyperautomation, a concept identified by research group Gartner as being one of the top technology trends of 2020.[3]

Technology

Intelligent automation applies the assembly line concept of breaking tasks into repetitive steps to improve business processes.[4] Rather than having humans do each step, intelligent automation can replace steps with an intelligent software robot or bot, improving efficiency.[5]

Applications

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.[6] 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.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8] [9]

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.[10] This technology has the potential to change the workforce. As it advances, it will be able to perform increasingly complex and difficult tasks.[11] In addition, this may expose certain workforce issues as well as change how tasks are allocated.[12]

Benefits

Streamline Processes

Customer Service Improvement

Flexibility

Capabilities

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Businesses Expected to Lean on Automation for Recovery . Wall Street Journal . May 20, 2020 . November 9, 2021.
  2. Ray, A. (2020). Intelligent automation: A new frontier in capital markets operations. Journal of Securities Operations & Custody, 12(3), 266–277.
  3. Web site: Gartner Announces Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends For 2020 . Forbes. October 21, 2019 . November 9, 2021.
  4. Web site: 2022-09-19 . Succeed and compete with smarter, simpler and faster records management . 2023-08-24 . www.unisys.com . en.
  5. Web site: Software bots could be the future of business automation . Axios. July 20, 2021 . November 9, 2021.
  6. Web site: Gartner says low-code, RPA, and AI driving growth in 'hyperautomation' . VentureBeat. April 28, 2021 . November 9, 2021.
  7. Web site: Notable Health seeks to improve COVID-19 vaccine administration through intelligent automation . Techcrunch. February 16, 2021 . November 9, 2021.
  8. Web site: News . 27 Apr 2022 . 2022-04-27 . 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 . 2022-05-08 . Automation . en-GB.
  9. Web site: Intelligent Automation . 2022-05-08 . Alchemmy . en-US.
  10. Hiter, S. (2023). Overview of Intelligent Automation. eWeek, N.PAG-N.PAG.
  11. 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/
  12. What is Intelligent Automation? | IBM. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://www.ibm.com/topics/intelligent-automation