The year 2023 has seen the rapid rise of automation technologies as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) took center stage in this domain. 2023 was also the year of the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). With Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, AI has made inroads into almost every field of work.
Coming back to RPA, it is in for some exciting developments in 2024, with the primary among them being the integration of AI into RPA.
Here’s a breakdown of current trends and what to look forward to:
Top Trends Shaping RPA Today:
- AI Injects Smarts into RPA
RPA is merging with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create a powerful combo called Intelligent Process Automation (IPA). This injects cognitive abilities like decision-making and learning into robots, making them handle more complex tasks.
The combination of RPA and AI is a major game-changer in the automation landscape. RPA on its own excels at automating repetitive, rule-based tasks, but it can struggle with situations requiring judgement or handling unforeseen circumstances. This is where AI comes in. It gives the bots decision-making capabilities, learning capabilities, and improved accuracy in performing RPA tasks.
- Hyper Automation Takes Over
This is the next level of automation, using a blend of RPA, AI, machine learning, and other tools to automate a vast range of processes across an organization. Think of it as super-charged automation!
Hyperautomation is like putting a supercharger on your organization’s efficiency engine. It’s all about leveraging a combination of powerful technologies to automate a vast array of processes, not just individual tasks.
- Focus on Business Users:
New user-friendly, low-code/no-code RPA tools are making it easier for business users with little technical expertise to set up and manage their own automation. This empowers them to streamline tasks without relying heavily on IT.
The rise of low-code/no-code RPA tools is a democratizing force in automation. It empowers business users (also known as citizen developers) with little coding knowledge, to take charge of automating tasks within their area of expertise. It offers drag-and-drop simplicity, helps them focus on business needs and reduces reliance on IT while fostering innovation.
- Security and Governance Gain Importance: As RPA adoption grows, so does the focus on robust security measures and proper governance frameworks. Organizations are putting structures in place to ensure responsible and secure deployment of RPA solutions.
Key Trends for 2024:
- Generative AI Makes its Mark: Generative AI, a type of AI that can create new data (like text or code), is expected to be integrated into RPA tools. This will allow robots to handle tasks that involve creative content generation or data manipulation.
- RPA as a Platform Play: Expect to see RPA vendors moving beyond just offering standalone tools. They’ll be providing broader platforms that integrate RPA with other automation technologies, making it a central hub for managing all your organization’s automation efforts.
- Focus on Strategic Applications: Businesses are shifting their focus from automating simple tasks to using RPA for more strategic purposes. This could involve tasks that improve customer experience, enhance decision-making, or boost innovation.
- Ethical Considerations Come to the Forefront: As RPA automates more jobs, discussions around the ethical implications of this technology will be crucial. Organizations will need to ensure responsible implementation that considers workforce reskilling and potential job displacement.
