FEATURE : AUTOMATION

Around the world , AI isn ’ t just reshaping business processes , it ’ s redefining what productivity , efficiency and strategic advantage mean in the digital age . In this exclusive interview , Mihir Shukla ,

CEO and Co-Founder of Automation Anywhere , dives into AI ’ s transformative role across enterprises – from its impact on competitive edge to its potential to streamline complex workflows and unlock new possibilities for non-technical teams .

Prior to founding Automation Anywhere , I was part of five multibillion-dollar ventures across various sectors , including the Internet , e-commerce and smartphones . These were remarkable technologies and I was fortunate to be part of the teams that shaped them . During this time , I travelled extensively for work and observed how tasks were carried out across different cultures and industries . What struck me was seeing millions of people stationed in cubicles , performing repetitive ‘ swivel chair ’ tasks and transferring information from one screen to another . It felt wrong to me . Surely , we weren ’ t destined to spend our days in such routines .

When people are given opportunities , their innate capabilities can truly shine . The concept behind Automation Anywhere emerged from this belief . If AI and automation could become our technology partners in handling repetitive tasks , we would be freed from mundane work . We could then direct our energy and talent towards meaningful human-driven pursuits . That vision is what led to the creation of Automation Anywhere and it remains at the heart of our mission today .

How does AI help businesses streamline complex processes across the enterprise ?

Every business at its core is defined by its processes and how it serves customers . Whether you ’ re a bank managing mortgage processing , a healthcare provider handling claims or a retailer , business processes shape operations . For example , Petrobras , a leading oil and gas company in Brazil implemented AI across nearly all its departments – from HR to finance and supply chain .

One notable application was in tax computation , a process that had always been traditional for the company . With thousands of tax code changes every year , it used AI to ingest the new laws and recompute taxes accordingly . In just three weeks , the company saved over US $ 100 million in taxes , highlighting the potential of AI for not just process optimisation , but for reimagining how processes function in the age of AI .

In the healthcare sector , AI is helping to reduce physician burnout . For instance , Boston Children ’ s Hospital , the top children ’ s hospital in the US , uses AI and automation to alleviate administrative burdens on doctors . Typically , physicians spend around 25 % of their time on administrative tasks like capturing notes and managing pre- and post-visit duties and this takes time away from patient care . By automating these processes , the hospital improved both physician wellbeing and the patient experience .

In the banking sector , a bank like KeyBank automated over 288 processes across its operations to improve business efficiency . Similarly , PNC Bank automated hundreds of processes including those in its retail branch operations . At over 10,000 branches , AI agents now assist bank staff and help customers to reduce wait times .

These examples demonstrate the power of AI to transform industries by enhancing speed and efficiency . Across all sectors , the key to success is

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