In the quest to leverage generative AI within their organizations, business leaders often find themselves unsure of where to start and how to achieve the greatest return on investment. However, the solution may be simpler than expected: intelligent automation. By integrating AI into automation technology, businesses can unlock the full potential of generative AI.

A recent global study by the IBM Institute for Business Value, titled “Seizing the AI and automation opportunity,” reveals that C-suite leaders are increasingly recognizing the operational and financial benefits of intelligent automation. The report states that a remarkable 92% of executives surveyed expect to digitize their organization’s workflows and harness AI-powered automation by 2026.

Why choose automation?

As businesses undergo digital transformation and introduce data and technology into their operations, they create opportunities to automate various business initiatives, such as administrative tasks, workflows, monitoring, and platform integration. Simultaneously, the complexity of technology systems, platforms, and infrastructure increases, making automation critical for IT organizations. The study reveals that executives anticipate a doubling or more of automation rates in IT service management, DevSecOps, and IT operations management in the next three years.

For instance, as companies progress in their digital transformation journey, their systems may become so complex that engineers struggle to monitor them effectively on their own. In such scenarios, automation becomes a business imperative. The right automation tool can process vast amounts of information at incredible speeds and alert engineers to issues based on pre-set rules, such as energy use, storage capacity, cost, and other critical factors. Now, combine this impactful automation with generative AI, and the technology not only monitors but also identifies and learns patterns, drafts reports about likely causes, and suggests solutions before problems even arise.

While IT organizations may seem like the obvious beneficiaries of intelligent automation due to the overwhelming amount of data they handle, other departments and employees across organizations can also benefit. With automation, all teams are expected to process information more quickly, manage larger volumes of data across various tools and platforms, and streamline their processes. However, one significant barrier has been the lack of engineering skills among non-technical teams to program automations. This is where generative AI comes into play, enabling non-technical employees to use natural language to program automations and eliminate this barrier.

The study found that 54% of executives surveyed are evaluating the roles of automation and AI in delivering new ways of working, highlighting the growing interest in empowering employees and unlocking productivity through technology in the workplace.

Seizing Automation Opportunities

In today’s competitive global economy, digital transformation is essential for the survival of any business. While it brings complexity, it also presents opportunities for automation and the application of generative AI. To leverage generative AI effectively, business leaders should explore areas within their organizations where automation can make a significant impact, or is already doing so.

The study also reveals that 8 out of 10 C-suite executives agree that the benefits of generative AI outweigh the potential risks. Once the power of generative AI and automation is realized, it becomes clear why this technology combination is worth exploring.

For more information, you can read the full IBM Institute for Business Value study here.

FAQs

What is generative AI?

Generative AI refers to a type of artificial intelligence that is capable of creating or generating new content, such as images, text, or music, based on training data.

What is intelligent automation?

Intelligent automation is the integration of AI capabilities into automation technology. It combines the efficiency and reliability of automation with the intelligence and decision-making abilities of AI.

Why is automation important?

Automation is important because it helps streamline business processes, eliminate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance productivity. It allows organizations to focus on more complex and strategic initiatives.

How does generative AI enhance automation?

Generative AI enhances automation by adding the ability to learn and identify patterns, make predictions, and suggest solutions. It goes beyond basic automation by adding a layer of intelligence and decision-making to the process.

Summary

Intelligent automation, which integrates AI capabilities into automation technology, is a powerful tool for businesses to harness the potential of generative AI. The combination of automation and AI can streamline processes, improve productivity, and deliver operational and financial benefits. Whether in IT organizations or across other departments, intelligent automation empowers teams to process information more quickly, manage data effectively, and eliminate repetitive tasks. As businesses undergo digital transformation, automation presents significant opportunities that should not be overlooked. With the right approach, businesses can leverage generative AI to unlock its full potential and transform the way they work.