Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming industries at an unprecedented pace. Many companies are leveraging these technologies to accelerate processes, increase productivity and create new solutions. India Today was at Imagine AI in Austin, Texas, where we spoke to Prince Kohli, CTO, Automation Anywhere, to find out how AI is revolutionising automation and how enterprises can responsibly implement these advancements without compromising their digital security.

The power of AI-enhanced automation

Is automation relevant when AI is present? “Automation uses AI to get better,” said Prince Kohli. “It will always be complementary”. He emphasised that AI serves as a powerful tool to understand and extract valuable information, which is used to optimise automated processes. For example, in the banking sector, AI can analyse millions of transactions per day to identify anomalies, flag suspicious activities and ensure compliance. This synergy between AI and automation enables tasks to be completed with greater productivity and accuracy than ever before.

A key benefit of AI in automation is its ability to reduce time-intensive processes. “In drug discovery, what normally takes a decade can potentially be achieved in a year with AI,” Kohli said. This dramatic reduction in time is not just limited to pharmaceuticals but spans across various industries, leading to increased efficiency and production.

AI Tools for Seamless Integration

California-based Automation Anywhere offers a set of easy-to-use tools designed to make AI integration seamless for enterprises. These tools are developed to be user-friendly while hiding the complexities of the underlying technologies. Kohli highlighted the company’s Co-Pilot feature, which was launched at the company’s annual Imagine event last year, and integrates with applications such as Microsoft and Salesforce. “We are trying to ensure that companies don’t have to understand the complexities of the process or the technology and you can talk to them,” he said. This approach ensures that even non-technical users can harness the power of AI to boost productivity.

Training and skills development are critical to the effective use of AI tools. “We allow people to create the tools they want and train them on how to use them,” Kohli said. For developers, Automation Anywhere provides functionalities such as quick auto-tuning, allowing them to easily create models and set guardrails. This democratization of AI tools allows for widespread adoption and innovative use cases within organizations.

Real-world applications in India

Kohli shared several success stories from India, including some of those delivered to their clients such as Tata Sky, Indian Oil Corporation and others, based on the tangible benefits of AI-enhanced automation. In contact centres, processes that earlier took 6-8 minutes are now significantly faster thanks to AI’s ability to instantly pull relevant customer information. “When it’s an email, AI can parse the data and give a comprehensive answer to the question,” said Kohli, highlighting how AI agents are evolving from basic support tools to intelligent assistants.

Document automation is another area where AI is making a huge impact. By understanding and processing documents quickly, AI speeds up processes such as know-your-customer (KYC) verification, credit card applications and home loans. This is especially beneficial in a densely populated country like India, where resource management and efficiency are paramount. “Manufacturing can also benefit from AI automation,” Kohli said, explaining how AI can identify irregularities on assembly lines, thereby improving quality control.

Responsible Deployment of AI

While the benefits of AI are clear, responsible deployment is essential. Kohli emphasizes the importance of data privacy and compliance, especially in industries such as healthcare and finance. Since many of these companies deal with private data of citizens, it is imperative to deploy efficient data security solutions to ensure that no sensitive information is compromised.

“We let the data stay inside their firewall and provide security to ensure data privacy. These companies also have control over how long their data stays in the server and where exactly the data is stored.” – Price Kohli, CTO, Automation Anywhere.

The company is committed to enabling secure and compliant AI solutions, providing private and public cloud options with data masking and lifetime settings.

The Indian government has also been urged to invest in AI for national security, resource management and fraud detection. Kohli believes that India can leverage AI to improve the lives of citizens by enacting strong data privacy laws and promoting a favorable environment for startups. “India has no choice and should look at this as a great opportunity to take a leading role in policy-making,” he said.

The future of augmented work

The integration of AI with automation is set to redefine industries and job roles. While concerns about job displacement exist, Kohli is optimistic about the future. “The quality of work has increased for everyone,” he said, reflecting on past technological changes. AI and automation will automate the mundane aspects of jobs, allowing employees to focus on more complex and meaningful tasks. This will allow them to focus more on the creative and innovative aspects of the job.

Skill development and a positive mindset towards AI are crucial. “It’s more about mindset change than skill change,” Kohli advised. Embracing AI as an enhancement tool rather than a threat can offer unprecedented opportunities for innovation and growth. In conclusion, AI-enhanced automation is revolutionizing the way industries operate, delivering faster, more efficient, and smarter solutions. With responsible deployment and a focus on skill development, enterprises can harness the full potential of these technologies, paving the way for a future of augmented work and increased productivity.