Automation plays a significant role in many areas of modern society. It refers to the use of technology to perform tasks or processes automatically, without the need for human intervention. One of the main advantages of automation is that it can improve efficiency and productivity by reducing the time and effort required to perform certain tasks. Automation can also help to reduce the risk of errors, improve the quality of products and services, and reduce the cost of production. Automation is used in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and finance. It is also used in many everyday products and services, such as self-checkout kiosks at grocery stores, automatic teller machines (ATMs), and ride-sharing apps. However, automation also has the potential to displace human workers, leading to concerns about job loss and income inequality. It is important for governments and businesses to carefully consider the potential impacts of automation and to take steps to mitigate any negative consequences.
Automation includes the use of various equipment and control systems such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers, and heat-treating ovens, switching on telephone networks, steering, and stabilization of ships, aircraft, and other applications and vehicles with reduced human intervention. Examples range from a household thermostat controlling a boiler to a large industrial control system with tens of thousands of input measurements and output control signals. Automation has also found space in the banking sector. In control complexity, it can range from simple on-off control to multi-variable high-level algorithms.
Basic automation takes simple, rudimentary tasks and automates them. This level of automation is about digitizing work by using tools to streamline and centralize routine tasks, such as using a shared messaging system instead of having information in disconnected silos. Business process management (BPM) and robotic process automation (RPA) are types of basic automation.
Integration automation is where machines can
mimic human tasks and repeat the actions once humans define
the machine rules. One example is the “digital worker.” In
recent years, people have defined digital workers as software
robots that are trained to work with humans to perform
specific tasks. They have a specific set of skills, and they
can be “hired” to work on teams.
Artificial intelligence (AI) automation The
most complex level of automation is artificial intelligence
(AI) automation. The addition of AI means that machines can
“learn” and make decisions based on past situations they have
encountered and analyzed. For example, in customer service,
virtual assistants powered can reduce costs while empowering
both customers and human agents, creating an optimal customer
service experience.