RPA and AI: What's the Difference?

RPA and AI

What is robotic process automation (RPA)? What does artificial intelligence (AI) have to do with it? If you're interested in joining the world of robotics, understanding these technologies can help get you started.

At Universal Technical Institute (UTI) we offer Robotics & Automation programs that dive into the fundamentals of robotics!¹ With courses like Industrial Networking to Computer Aided Design, students can grow their robotics and automation skills!

In this blog, we'll break down what RPA and AI are, their differences and why they are an important part of robotics automation!

What Is RPA? What is AI?

Let's start with the basics. RPA is a technology that uses software robots to automate repetitive tasks like data entry or invoice processing.

On the other hand, AI is a broader concept. AI involves creating systems that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. That can include decision-making, problem-solving, and even understanding concepts. AI can also learn and adapt over time, unlike RPA.

Both RPA and AI are transforming various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare. They serve different purposes and have unique applications.

RPA and AI Example

To understand how these technologies work in the real world, let's look at an example.

Imagine a customer service department at a large company. Their team may receive hundreds of emails daily. Many of these emails will most likely be questions about password resets or order statuses.

Using RPA, the company can set up software robots to send automatic responses to these types of emails. The system follows predefined rules to identify the FAQ and send an appropriate response. This saves time and allows human agents to focus on more complex customer issues.

But what if the email is more complicated? What if it requires understanding the meaning behind the customer's question? This is where AI comes in. AI can analyze the email's language and even predict what the customer might need next. Combined with RPA, AI can route the email to the right department or even draft a personalized response for a human agent to review and send.

Difference Between RPA and AI

While they can work together, RPA and AI are still considered different technologies.

Robotic process automation vs. AI

RPA focuses on automating routine, rule-based tasks. It's great for tasks that involve structured data and don't need decision-making. Think of RPA as a very efficient worker who follows instructions exactly.

AI is about simulating human intelligence. AI systems can learn from data, make decisions, and even predict future outcomes. This makes AI suitable for more complex tasks that need adaptation and learning.

For example, RPA might be used to automate data entry from invoices. AI could predict future sales trends based on historical data and customer behavior.

Is RPA a Form of AI?

A common question is whether RPA is a form of AI. The short answer is no, RPA is not a form of AI, but they can complement each other.

RPA is rule-based and doesn't involve learning or adaptation. It follows pre-defined instructions and doesn't change its behavior unless programmed to do so. AI, however, involves learning and adapting, making it more flexible and capable of handling complex tasks.

While RPA and AI are different, combining them can create powerful automation solutions.

How RPA and AI Work Together

When RPA and AI work together, they create automation solutions that can change the way business processes function. This combination pulls in the strengths of both technologies. It makes automation more efficient and capable.

For example, AI can handle unstructured data and make decisions, while RPA can execute a solution based on those decisions.

In a financial services company, AI can analyze customer data to detect fraudulent transactions. Once identified, RPA can automatically flag these transactions for review or even reverse them, depending on the set rules. This reduces the risk of fraud and improves operational efficiency.

How To Combine RPA and AI

Combining RPA and AI requires a strategic approach. First, identify the processes that can benefit from automation. Look for tasks that are repetitive, rule-based and involve structured data for RPA. Tasks that need decision-making, analysis of unstructured data or prediction capabilities are ideal for AI.

Next, integrate RPA and AI solutions to create a seamless workflow. For instance, use AI to analyze customer feedback and generate insights. Then, use RPA to automate the implementation of these insights. This could look like updating customer profiles or sending personalized offers.

The key is to make sure that the technologies complement each other.

Common Applications of RPA and AI

RPA and AI have uses across various industries. Some of them include:

Customer Service: In customer service, RPA can handle routine queries, while AI analyzes customer sentiment and provides personalized responses. This improves customer satisfaction and reduces response times.

Human Resources: RPA can automate HR tasks like payroll processing and employee onboarding. AI can analyze employee performance data to identify areas they can improve and recommend training programs.

Data Analysis: AI excels at analyzing large datasets to uncover patterns and trends. Combining this with RPA allows businesses to automate data collection and reporting. This can provide real-time insights for important decisions.

Supply Chain Management: RPA can automate inventory management, order processing and shipping. AI will predict demand and optimize supply chain operations to help reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Marketing: In marketing, AI can analyze customer behavior to create targeted campaigns. RPA automates the execution of these campaigns. That can include sending emails or updating customer databases.

Learn How To Use RPA and AI

RPA and AI are transforming industries and creating exciting opportunities for those interested in robotics and automation. Learn more about UTI’s Robotics & Automation program options that can help you gain the skills and knowledge to pursue an entry-level position in robotics!

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