Advancing Towards AI With Robotic Process Automation

Organisations are rapidly adopting Robotic Process Automation (RPA) while exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to drive digital transformation. Industry experts highlight the growing impact of AI-integrated automation, and market forecasts indicate significant growth in AI and RPA investments. However, the key challenge remains seamless integration with existing systems and business processes. 

The Growing Role of RPA in AI Integration 

Phil Fersht, CEO of HfS Research, has emphasised that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) enhances business operations by accelerating processes, improving data access, and digitising workflows. He advocates for integrating software robots with AI platforms to unlock greater value.   

The RPA and AI markets have experienced significant growth leading up to 2025. Forrester projects that the RPA market will reach $22 billion by 2025, reflecting the increasing demand for advanced automation solutions.  

Additionally, the global AI market is expected to exceed $826 billion by 2030, with AI contributing $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2025.  

 
Furthermore, a report by CompTIA reveals that 55% of companies are currently using AI, with an additional 45% exploring its implementation, indicating a steady rise in AI adoption.  
 
These statistics underscore the rapid adoption of AI and RPA, highlighting the importance of integrating these technologies to enhance business operations. 

Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption 

Cloud platforms like Google and Microsoft provide AI capabilities such as sentiment analysis, handwriting recognition, natural language processing, and text extraction. However, aligning AI with existing systems and business workflows remains a key obstacle. Scalability and customisation are crucial for AI’s long-term impact. Sara Burnett, VP at Everest Group, highlights the need for well-integrated platforms to scale AI solutions, stressing that combining RPA and AI is essential for expanding business process automation. 

Blue Prism: Simplifying AI-Driven Automation 

Blue Prism is at the forefront of integrating AI within business processes, enabling practical applications of advanced technologies. The company was recognized as "Best Robotic Process Automation Company" at the 2018 AI Breakthrough Awards, further reinforcing its industry leadership. 

Through collaborations with Google Cloud, Microsoft Cognitive, and IBM Watson, Blue Prism provides cloud automation tools that support natural language processing, translation, and visual recognition. These tools improve attended and unattended process execution, pushing automation beyond traditional limitations. However, AI models are often pre-trained on generic datasets, which can limit their adaptability. As AI technology advances, significant improvements in performance and additional features are expected. 

James Johnson, Managing Director of AI Breakthrough, states that Blue Prism simplifies digital transformation to accelerate business outcomes. Steve Guggenheimer from Microsoft adds, "It’s too late to do nothing, but too early to do everything," emphasising the need for strategic AI adoption. Dawie Olivier of Westpac New Zealand highlights how forward-thinking organisations are investing in AI solutions such as Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing alongside RPA. 

Conclusion 

Leading organisations globally and in New Zealand are prioritising AI adoption, recognising the importance of integrating current technologies while preparing for future advancements. Businesses that successfully merge AI with RPA will unlock greater efficiency, automation, and innovation, positioning themselves for long-term success in the digital era.