Automation refers to the use of equipment and systems that are capable of automatically completing specific, unchanging tasks without the need for human intervention. Though the term is often used today to refer to a wide range of technologically sophisticated systems, the uses of automatic tools can actually be traced back thousands of years to places like China and Greece, where trip hammers powered by water and steam-powered reaction motors were experimented with by crafty inventors [1].
Throughout the 20th century, the use of automated machinery and processes quickly expanded as new technologies were developed. The creation of digital electronic computers, sensors, and lasers (among many other things) allowed for the development of machines capable of performing more complex automatic tasks, such as assembling cars and smartphones. Automation has been a persistent trend in the work world for many decades.
Over the past several decades, exponential growth in computational systems has also greatly expanded the types of tasks that can be automated – and is expected to expand even further in the coming years. According to research published on Statista, the global industrial automation market is projected to reach $265 billion by 2025, or much higher than its 2020 valuation of $175 billion [2]. In effect, such changes are expected to lead to the redundancy of many jobs previously performed by humans.
Robotic process automation (RPA), or software automation, refers to software capable of automating certain specific, unchanging tasks within digital systems, such as those used by businesses to complete repetitive business tasks and processes. Unlike mechanical automation, which automates real-world machines, RPA applies automation methodologies to the digital tools and structures that organizations use to perform such day-to-day tasks as filling forms, recording transactions, or extracting data.
As technology has advanced, the types of tasks that can be automated have grown to include those that are increasingly complex. Some common examples of automation include:
Automation has many benefits for both individuals and businesses. Some potential benefits of automation include:
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the development of machines and computers capable of performing complex tasks that typically require decision-making and, so, usually also require a human to perform. The most prevalent form of AI today is machine learning, which relies on machine learning models created by algorithms trained on data sets to accomplish such relatively complex tasks as predicting price fluctuations and identifying subjects in photographs.
Unlike automation, which is concerned with performing the exact same task over and over again without change, AI is focused on creating technology that can dynamically respond to new information and complete tasks without human intervention. As a result, AI systems are intentionally designed to identify the best course of action when confronted with novel data points and scenarios.
Read more: What Is Artificial Intelligence? Definition, Uses, and Types
There are countless ways that artificial intelligence (and machine learning, in particular) are used today. Some common examples of how AI is used include:
Generative AI Mastery: Automate with ChatGPT. Learn to perform complex tasks effortlessly using the power of generative AI
Problem Formulation for Generative AI, Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, ChatGPT, chain of thought prompting, prompt patterns, Large Language Models, Visualize complex data trapped in PDFs, Amplify your presentations by having ChatGPT critique your slides or other important documents, Automate the extraction of structured data from documents and the creation of other documents and PowerPoint, Automate the editing and management of images and video while cataloging it, Use ChatGPT to read and understand documents, GPT-4V (Vision)
There are many benefits to using AI-powered services at work and in your personal life. While many of these mimic the benefits of automation in general, AI’s benefits are most acutely felt when applied to those tasks that generally require some kind of decision-making to be completed. Potential benefits of adopting AI technology include:
Leave A Reply