Working more efficiently and intelligently? AI automation makes it possible!

With the explosion of ChatGPT and AI assistants, the last few years have been marked by the integration of artificial intelligence into our daily routines, particularly in the workplace.

Thanks to this technology, humans are now able to work more efficiently and quickly, while taking into account the growing demands of consumers. In other words, they can rely on devices that automate certain tasks, helping them to focus more on higher added-value missions. A winning combo!

What is AI in automation? What are the concrete benefits? What tools can you rely on?

Welcome to the professional world of the future 🤖.

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What is AI automation?

Definition of intelligent automation

When we talk about AI automation, or intelligent automation (AI), we mean the process of harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, combined with other technologies, to streamline operations without direct human intervention.

AI automation is used for a variety of tasks, such as :

• processing invoices ;
• sorting and selecting candidates for recruitment ;
• sales prediction ;
• chatbot support;
• predictive maintenance of equipment, etc.

To achieve this, the devices used, generally software, combine various innovations such as Machine Learning, natural language processing or even computer vision.

💡 Note: intelligent automation is closely linked to RPA (Robotic Process Automation), the technology used to automate repetitive tasks via software or "robots" interacting with IT systems. Here, AI simply enriches the process with analysis and learning capabilities, and therefore intelligent decision-making.

How has AI automation evolved over time?

Over the last few years, the advances in AI have never ceased to surprise us. On the business side, major transformations have taken place, making intelligent automation an essential pillar of the digital transition of companies... and therefore of their performance!

Initially, the first automation tools, such as the RPA mentioned above, were limited to the execution of basic, repetitive tasks (data entry, for example). They focused mainly on manual operations.

However, with advances in artificial intelligence, such as Machine Learning, it is now possible for our tools to manage complex operations requiring cognitive abilities and involving unstructured data. In short, they now know how to adapt to the dynamic environments of the working world.

We are now in the era of hyperautomation! Not only are individual processes streamlined, but also automation itself, since systems can adjust these processes in real time.

The 7 benefits of intelligent automation

#1 Increase productivity

When we think of the professional use of artificial intelligence, the first thing that springs to mind is the desire of companies to increase the productivity of their employees, with the aim of becoming more competitive.

And we're right on target, since AI, by automating time-consuming tasks, frees up employees' time. They can then concentrate on more impactful, value-generating activities.

#2 Reduce human error

Another advantage of automation is that it minimises the risk of human error, particularly when it comes to tedious tasks.

And yes, however powerful it may be, let's not forget that our brain is still a fallible machine. The computer, on the other hand, is not weakened by fatigue or annoyance...

#3 Support decision-making

Thanks to artificial intelligence technologies, our machines are capable of collecting and analysing large quantities of data quickly and in depth.

With these relevant insights thus obtained, decision-makers are able to make more informed choices.

👉 For example, predictive analysis algorithms anticipate market trends or recommend actions to be taken to improve business performance.

#4 Optimise your costs

Between :

• increasing productivity (and therefore optimising the use of resources) ;
• reducing errors that are often costly;
• reducing task completion times;
• the implementation of relevant strategies;

organisations are able to manage their activities more profitably and have access to valuable data to help them increase their turnover.

#5 Improve customer satisfaction

While AI promises many benefits for businesses, it also contributes to customer satisfaction.

These include chatbots and virtual assistants, which provide an instant, 24/7 service. These tools can respond to simple requests, leaving human teams to deal with more complex cases, for the benefit of the customer experience.

#6 Personalise on a large scale

When it comes to customer experience, brands know that it is now important to personalise their actions and messages as much as possible if they hope to stand out in the eyes of consumers.

Thanks to machine learning capabilities, AI can easily adapt to user preferences and behaviours.

👉 This phenomenon is very much in evidence in the field of marketing, where artificial intelligence is used to recommend the most appropriate products or services for each customer, thereby increasing conversion opportunities.

#7 Gaining in flexibility and scalability

A business is never static. It often has to deal with increasing volumes of data and increasingly complex processes.

The good news is that automation systems are able to handle this, making it easy to adapt quickly:

• changes in demand, trends or your environment;
• to changes in security and compliance.

3 use cases for AI automation

Today, artificial intelligence is everywhere. And even if we focus on the question of automation, there are many operations that benefit from this technology.

To get a little more practical, here are three use cases 👉.

Use case 1 - Streamlining all business processes

This is the first use case we think of when we mention AI automation. There are many examples:

• The finance department streamlines the processing of invoices, from automatic data recognition to payment and validation.
  
  
• Human resources are becoming more efficient in their recruitment process, thanks in particular to platforms capable of intelligently sorting CVs.
  
  
• Sales, relying on customer relationship management (CRM) tools, are increasingly integrating AI into their day-to-day work, to analyse the behaviour of prospects, trigger the most relevant actions or carry out administrative tasks.
  
  
• The logistics department uses artificial intelligence for a variety of purposes, such as forecasting demand, automating stock management and optimising delivery routes.

Use case 2 - Meeting customer requirements

Improving customer experience and satisfaction is one of the major challenges of intelligent automation.

Of course, data analysis helps to understand who consumers really are, with a view to personalising interactions and content.

But above all, thanks to AI, we never leave b̶é̶b̶é̶ the customer in a corner! Between :

• chatbots and other virtual assistants, available 24/7 ;
• and improving the services provided by your support teams ;

you're sure to delight your customers. And a happy customer is a returning customer 😀.

Use case 3 - Continuous innovation

Finally, since automation frees up resources, companies devote more time and budget to developing new products, services or business models.

Not to mention the fact that integrating AI into the very heart of your offering (on the website or in the software made available to your customers) is already a good way of putting yourself among the ranks of innovative companies.

In more concrete terms, here are a few examples of how artificial intelligence can be used to cultivate innovation:

• generative design (companies such as Airbus and General Motors are using AI to create completely new designs!
• scenario simulation to test the performance of new products or services;
• real-time optimisation of manufacturing processes;
• artistic creation, whether visual, audio or even textual content.

💡 Worth knowing: according to an IBM study published in 2024, here are companies' priorities when it comes to using artificial intelligence:

• IT process automation (33%) ;
• security and threat detection (26%);
• AI monitoring or governance (25%);
• business analysis and document management (24%);
• automation of responses to customers or employees (23%);
• automation of business and network processes, marketing and sales (22%).

How does AI automation work?

The different stages...

AI combines the power of artificial intelligence with the strength of automation to revolutionise business processes, while adapting continuously.

To achieve this, the process encompasses the entire automation cycle:

• data collection and analysis, from a variety of sources ;
• decision making, using predictive algorithms and pre-programmed decision rules;
• triggering subsequent actions, without human intervention;
• setting up the learning loop (thanks to Machine Learning) and thus optimising processes over time;
• where appropriate, interaction with systems (other software) and humans (chatbots, virtual assistants, etc.).

... and technologies

To ensure complete automation, AI relies on RPA, which carries out the necessary actions at the various stages of the procedures.

However, other technologies also come into play, in particular :

• Machine Learning: this enables AI to learn from historical data, so improving its decisions over time.
  
  
• Natural language processing : with NLP, artificial intelligence can understand, interpret and generate human language. We're thinking here of our famous chatbots, but there's also sentiment analysis and automatic email classification.
  
  
• Computer vision: this is used to analyse and interpret images or videos. Companies are using it to monitor production lines and inspect quality.
  
  
• Optical character recognition: OCR helps to automate the reading and conversion of printed or handwritten text into digital data. This technology is found in software for electronic document management, expense management, invoicing, etc.

How do you choose your AI automation solution?

Criteria to take into account

In fact, AI automation can be found everywhere, in every field, in every activity. So you need to choose a solution that matches your own needs.

To identify them accurately, we recommend that you detect the bottlenecks that are hindering the smooth running of your operations. In this way, you can identify your priorities in terms of artificial intelligence.

☝️ There are other points to bear in mind too:

• The smooth integration of your solution into your technological ecosystem, so as to guarantee fluid data exchanges.
  
  
• Its scalability, to ensure that it adapts to your growth. This is why many organisations opt for a SaaS model, to simplify scaling and reduce IT infrastructure costs.
  
  
• An intuitive interface, even for non-technical users. In this respect, low-code and no-code are attractive options for business teams, who can then configure and deploy automations without relying exclusively on the IT department.
  
  
• The question of security is central to avoiding data compromise and complying with various regulations such as the RGPD. All the more so if you are handling sensitive information, such as customer or financial data!

Example of an AI automation tool

Since artificial intelligence is everywhere, there are many relevant AI automation tools. However, document management is a key process to streamline, due to the sheer volume of documents that professionals handle on a daily basis. In other words, it has a significant impact on your productivity.

🛠️ For example, the DocuWare EDM/ECM software suite supports all company departments in digitising their day-to-day operations. With the recent acquisition of startup natif.ai, DocuWare is strengthening its solution by adding the layer of artificial intelligence needed to automate operations even further: data extraction, fine-tuned document classification, setting up workflows, etc.

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AI automation at a glance

Productivity, customer relations, compliance, innovation... without exception, all business departments stand to gain from exploiting the potential of AI automation. On the agenda: artificial intelligence, combined with other technologies (such as RPA, OCR or computer-aided visualization) and integrated into various business tools. These tools go further than simply providing operational support, they become powerful value drivers!

However, there is a lot of software using AI automation. It's up to you to prioritise your needs and choose the ones that will take your business to the next level 🚀.