Process automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are two revolutionary technologies that are transforming the way companies manage their tasks and operations. While process automation aims to simplify repetitive, manual activities by making them faster and more efficient, AI introduces a more intelligent dimension by enabling IT systems to learn and adapt to data.
What is Business Process Automation?
Process automation is a technology designed to computerize the various stages of a process or the circulation of documents. It is often used to streamline workflows by eliminating tedious tasks and reducing human error. For example, process automation can be implemented to manage the sending of quotes and invoices, or to automate payment verifications. By integrating process automation into your SME, you can boost productivity and maximize the time your resources spend on high value-added tasks. A strategy that has already proved its worth! But how does process automation fit in with AI?
Spotlight on Artificial Intelligence
Before we look at how we can combine these two technologies, let’s take a quick look at the definition of AI and its different types. There are 3 main types of AI:
- Narrow AI, also known as weak AI, designed for precise tasks and lacking general intelligence. Examples include self-driving cars, virtual assistants such as Apple’s Siri or Microsoft’s Cortana, and content recommendations based on shopping behavior.
- General AI, also known as strong AI or deep AI, which has a general intelligence that mimics human intelligence and/or behavior, with the ability to learn and apply its intelligence to solve any problem.
- Artificial superintelligence, an advanced form of AI that surpasses human intelligence and capabilities. For the moment, it’s hypothetical.
Companies are particularly interested in narrow AI.
How narrow AI is propelling Process Automation?
AI brings more advanced capabilities by enabling IT systems to understand, analyze and make decisions based on data. For example, AI-powered chatbots can interact with customers in a natural way, understanding natural language and providing relevant and accurate responses. In fact, we’re seeing them increasingly on the front line of customer service for many companies.
When we compare the two technologies, we see that process automation focuses on operational efficiency and cost reduction, while AI adds a dimension of understanding and intelligent decision-making. By combining these two approaches, companies can create more powerful and efficient IT systems, capable of handling complex tasks efficiently and intelligently.
However, to be able to reach this level, it’s important for companies to look at the quality of their data and its value. As mentioned by Réseau Action TI, data enhancement is the crucial process of collecting, cleaning, organizing and analyzing data to make it usable for AI systems. The logic is simple: the better the quality of your data, the better the AI will be able to make informed decisions, identify trends and make accurate predictions, leading to greater reliability and performance. Thus, process automation and AI are essential tools for improving business productivity, accuracy and efficiency.
By combining them strategically and paying particular attention to the quality and value of data, companies can revolutionize the way they manage tasks and operations, positioning themselves at the forefront of technological innovation.
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