Intelligent automation. 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). Companies use intelligent automation to cut costs and streamline tasks by using artificial-intelligence-powered robotic software to mitigate repetitive tasks. As it accumulates data, the system learns in an effort to improve its efficiency. 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.

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

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. 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.

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.

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.

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

Benefits 
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. Intelligent automation can also be used to mitigate tasks with human error which in turn increases proficiency. This allows the opportunity for firms to scale production without the traditional negative consequences such as reduced quality or increased risk.

Customer Service Improvement

 Customers service can be improved drastically, this allows for a competitive advantage for the firm. IA utilizing chat features allows for instant curated responses to customers. In addition, it can give updates to customers, make appointments, manage calls, and personalize campaigns. 

Flexibility

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

Capabilities 

 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
Robotic process automation
Artificial intelligence
Automation

References

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Business software
Automation software
Information economy
Machine learning