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.[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]
Technology
editIntelligent 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
editThe 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
editStreamline 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.[11] Intelligent automation can also be used to mitigate tasks with human error which in turn increases proficiency.[11] This allows the opportunity for firms to scale production without the traditional negative consequences such as reduced quality or increased risk.[12]
Customer Service Improvement
- Customers service can be improved drastically, this allows for a competitive advantage for the firm.[12] IA utilizing chat features allows for instant curated responses to customers.[12] In addition, it can give updates to customers, make appointments, manage calls, and personalize campaigns.[10][11]
Flexibility
Capabilities
edit- 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
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Businesses Expected to Lean on Automation for Recovery". Wall Street Journal. May 20, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ a b Ray, A. (2020). Intelligent automation: A new frontier in capital markets operations. Journal of Securities Operations & Custody, 12(3), 266–277.
- ^ "Gartner Announces Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends For 2020". Forbes. October 21, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Succeed and compete with smarter, simpler and faster records management". www.unisys.com. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
- ^ "Software bots could be the future of business automation". Axios. July 20, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "Gartner says low-code, RPA, and AI driving growth in 'hyperautomation'". VentureBeat. April 28, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Notable Health seeks to improve COVID-19 vaccine administration through intelligent automation". Techcrunch. February 16, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ 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". Automation. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Intelligent Automation". Alchemmy. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
- ^ a b c d e Hiter, S. (2023). Overview of Intelligent Automation. eWeek, N.PAG-N.PAG.
- ^ 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/
- ^ a b c d What is Intelligent Automation? | IBM. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://www.ibm.com/topics/intelligent-automation
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