## 4 Analysis and Conclusions
It is important to clarify that this study assumes the nature of a review of the state of the art combined with the theoretical proposition of a structured framework. The main objective was to explore, based on the current and relevant literature, how the integration between Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the context of Industry 5.0 can be structured to promote operational efficiency, human-machine collaboration, and sustainable practices. Thus, the answer to the research question is not based on empirical data from a practical implementation, but rather on a critical synthesis of the existing literature and a conceptual proposal that could serve as a basis for future studies. We recognize this limitation and consider that the empirical validation of the proposed model represents a fundamental step to be developed in subsequent works. The adoption of the PICO methodology was instrumental in shaping the framework. By providing a rigorous, structured lens through which we analyze the population (industrial sectors), intervention (RPA and AI integration), comparison (varying levels of adoption), and outcomes (efficiency, sustainability, human impact), PICO enabled the construction of a framework rooted in empirical evidence and real-world applicability. It ensured that the research remained focused, transparent, and aligned with both academic and industry needs. Limitations of this research include the lack of empirical testing within live industrial environments, which future studies should seek to address through pilot implementations and longitudinal impact assessments. Moreover, as AI technologies evolve, the framework will require periodic recalibration to remain aligned with state-of-the-art developments and regulatory landscapes. Future research directions include the empirical validation of the framework in different industrial sectors, the exploration of sector-specific customizations, and the development of maturity models to guide organizations through various stages of intelligent automation adoption. In conclusion, this study offers a timely, strategic contribution to both academic scholarship and industrial practice. By delivering a coherent roadmap for the integration of RPA and AI in line with Industry 5.0 values, it empowers organizations to pursue technological advancement without sacrificing human-centered design, ethics, or sustainability. In this article, a proposal for a framework for the implementation of robotic process automation and Artificial Intelligence in the context of Industry 5.0 was proposed and presented by [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON] and F.P. ; The main investigation, covering the development of a framework, was conducted by [PERSON]; the discussion of the problem, the assessment of the significance of the topic, the literature review and the preparation of the manuscript were carried out collaboratively by [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON] and [PERSON]; Overall supervision of this work was provided by [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON] and [PERSON], while project administration and funding acquisition were coordinated by [PERSON] and [PERSON]. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. This work has been supported by FCT--Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia within the R&D Unit Project of ALGORITMI Centre. **Institutional Review Board Statement:** Not applicable. **Informed Consent Statement:** Not applicable. **Data Availability Statement:** The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author. **Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflicts of interest.