AI Magazine January 2025 | Page 101

AUTOMATION

The current state of AI automation

AI ’ s role in automation is rapidly expanding as businesses see the potential for increased efficiency and productivity .
Urmila Kukreja , Director of Product Management at Smartsheet , explains how we are experiencing a “ significant moment for automation in our industry as generative AI tools and technologies rapidly evolve .
“ Automation itself is not new ,” Urmila continues , “ but with the help of AI , automation workflow building has levelled up by adding intelligence to tasks and processes .”
Smartsheet , for example , utilises AI to streamline repetitive tasks , such as categorising incoming feature requests , which reduces manual intervention and increases overall efficiency .
The drive towards automating these repetitive processes is reshaping sectors that require precision , such as human resources and product management , by accelerating task completion and reducing errors .
Incorporating AI into automation means businesses can leverage its predictive power and adaptability .
Nick Magnuson , Head of AI at Qlik , highlights that many organisations are “ under pressure to incorporate AI ”, as automation is now central to industries like healthcare , manufacturing and sales .
“ The current landscape is full of hope , scepticism and high expectations – fundamentally altering how businesses utilise technology ,” explains Nick .
AI-powered automation helps optimise human workflows , supporting decisions that improve productivity and reduce operational costs .
This shift is not just enhancing the speed of business processes ; it is fostering a transformative approach that elevates routine operations to strategic initiatives , aligning with business goals for agility and scalability .
AI automation has already proved invaluable in communications , particularly in industries like healthcare and finance .
Luiz Domingos , CTO at Mitel , emphasises that AI-driven automation tools , such as intelligent assistants and real-time transcription services , are “ delivering fast , efficient and contextually accurate customer service . aimagazine . com 101