In the preceding year, the realms of AI and ChatGPT have undeniably reigned supreme in the digital domain, reshaping the strategies of numerous organisations eager to infuse AI into their daily operations. This trend has laid the foundation for substantial developments in 2024, with a particular focus on refining automation processes.
C-suite Embraces AI's Value with Automation's Assistance
If 2023 was marked by the hype and hope surrounding AI, 2024 emerges as the year where AI becomes a tangible reality. Executives worldwide are spurred by AI's potential to foster growth, innovation, and heightened productivity. Mckinsey estimates that ‘combining generative AI with all other technologies, work automation could add 0.2 to 3.3 percentage points annually to productivity growth.’
Executives are exploring use cases where AI + Automation can swiftly deliver substantial benefits. In this pursuit, they are not just interested in the sheer capabilities of AI but in understanding how it can be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows, unlocking new efficiencies and innovative possibilities.
Examples include automated testing to reduce development time, communications mining for understanding and actioning unstructured data, and process intelligence to enhance end-to-end automation. These use cases, incorporating cutting-edge AI and automation, are bundled into solutions accelerators, providing organisations with a streamlined path to AI value.
Process Intelligence and Digital Twinning to Boost End-to-End Automation
The spotlight on automation extends to the realms of process intelligence, where the twin forces of process and task mining are illuminating new possibilities. These advanced techniques provide organisations with unparalleled insights into their operational workflows, offering a granular understanding of processes from start to finish.
As organisations grapple with challenges such as identifying bottlenecks, diagnosing inefficiencies, and streamlining operations, process intelligence emerges as the beacon guiding them through these complexities. Digital twinning, a transformative concept gaining prominence, takes this a step further by providing dynamic, real-time visibility into the inner workings of processes.
A digital twin is a digital representation of a physical object, person, or process, contextualised in a digital version of its environment. Digital twins can help an organisation simulate real situations and their outcomes, ultimately allowing it to make better decisions.
This not only enables organisations to monitor operations across systems but also empowers them to model the impact of proposed workflow improvements before implementation. Digital twins have the potential to deliver more agile and resilient operations. And their potential isn’t lost on CEOs: McKinsey research indicates that 70 percent of C-suite technology executives at large enterprises are already exploring and investing in digital twins.
The synergy of process intelligence and digital twinning promises not just efficiency gains but a strategic leap forward in orchestrating end-to-end automation with precision and foresight.
The Ascendance of AI-Powered Virtual Assistants
A recent survey conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) reveals a remarkable anticipation among customer service leaders. A staggering 95% foresee the integration of AI bots in customer service within the next three years. For customer service representatives, a generative AI-based conversational assistant has demonstrated a 14% increase in productivity on average.
The functionality can be expended to other aspects as virtual assistants leveraging language models to comprehend work contexts and tasks. These assistants, akin to the best human aides, learn to automate a range of activities, enhancing workflow efficiency.
This augmentation of virtual assistants with language models showcases the evolving capabilities of AI in understanding and responding to human interactions. The potential for these virtual assistants to streamline tasks and enhance productivity is vast, making them integral components in the evolving landscape of AI and automation.
Automation Evolving Toward Autonomy
The trajectory of automation in 2024 witnesses significant strides towards autonomy. Natural language processing capabilities empower developers and business users to request and build automations seamlessly. Furthermore, AI-enhanced robots gain the ability not only to identify issues in automation execution but also to self-correct. Generative AI and advanced analytics automate the laborious aspects of model training, heralding a new era where automation becomes more automatic.
Elevated Emphasis on AI Governance
The spotlight on AI governance is intensifying, with an increasing recognition of the importance of secure AI implementation. Organisations seeking robust AI governance are turning to technology companies and AI implementation partners for comprehensive support. This includes the incorporation of AI governance in enterprise software, embracing human-in-the-loop methodologies, and a burgeoning consulting boom focused on addressing AI governance intricacies.
In essence, the evolving landscape of AI and automation in 2024 promises not just innovation but a profound transformation in how we interact with technology, ushering in an era of heightened efficiency and ethical governance. As organisations navigate this landscape, a strategic approach to AI adoption and integration will be crucial, ensuring that the benefits are maximised while ethical considerations and governance frameworks remain at the forefront of technological advancements.
The journey into the future of AI and automation is not just a technological one; it's a strategic imperative for businesses seeking sustainable growth and competitive advantage in the digital era. With a rich history in RPA and AI consultancy, Enterprise RPA is poised to lead clients through the latest trends, ensuring they maximise ROI. See more Customer Stories from various sectors.
Discuss with one of our consultants to explore how to continuously manage, automate, and optimise your processes.
Reference:
Uipath – Automation and AI Trends 2024
BCG - How Generative AI Is Already Transforming Customer Service
Mckinsey & Company - The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier
Mckinsey & Company - What is digital-twin technology?