Strategies for RPA vendors to stay competitive in the age of AI agents

The future of enterprise automation is rapidly evolving, with tech giants pointing towards agents driven by generative AI as the next big thing. These agents, powered by AI, can perform complex tasks through human-like interactions across software and web platforms. For example, they can create itineraries, compare prices across apps, and more.

While robotic process automation (RPA) has been popular for over a decade, it is a more rigid form of automation based on preset rules. However, RPA is limited in handling dynamic tasks that require reasoning skills. As a result, RPA vendors are now looking towards generative AI to enhance their platforms.

UiPath and Automation Anywhere, two major players in the RPA market, are incorporating generative AI into their technologies. UiPath’s Clipboard AI allows users to automate data transfer tasks, while Automation Anywhere’s generative AI-powered tools can adapt to changes in apps that would normally cause RPA automations to fail.

Experts believe that generative AI has the potential to transform RPA platforms by enabling them to understand natural language, automate content creation, improve decision-making, and even generate code. As RPA platforms evolve to support autonomous agents and generative AI, they are expected to become all-around toolsets for automation.

Despite the potential benefits of generative AI, there are concerns about biases and hallucinations. However, with proper management and integration, generative AI could revolutionize the way enterprises approach automation. As the industry moves towards a future where specialized AI and generative AI work hand in hand, companies that embrace these technologies will have a competitive edge in the market.