What's the difference from ordinary automation?

Ordinary automation follows fixed rules: if this, then that. AI automation can also handle language, make judgement calls and work with exceptions, things a rigid script gets stuck on.

Do I need a lot of data?

Not necessarily. For many tasks you use models that are already trained; you don't have to train anything yourself. Your own data only comes into play when the AI has to answer from your specific knowledge.

Is this reliable enough for my work?

Provided you set it up well, with human checks on the important steps. AI is strong at preparing and pre-sorting; you keep the final responsibility where it belongs.

Guide · 1 min read

What is AI automation? An explanation in plain language

AI automation is ordinary automation with a brain attached. What it exactly is, how it differs from a simple script, and what's in it for small businesses.

AI automation is ordinary automation, but with a brain attached. Where a classic script only follows fixed rules ("if the amount is over 1000, send it to the manager"), AI automation can also handle things that can't be captured in a rule: understanding the content of an email, gauging the tone, making a summary, recognising an exception.

The difference in one example

Say an email comes in. Ordinary automation can forward it based on the address or a word in the subject line. Nothing more.

AI automation reads the email, grasps that it's a complaint, judges that it's urgent, summarises the gist and puts it with the right person with a note attached. That's the difference between sorting by form and understanding content.

What AI adds

Understanding language: reading and summarising emails, documents and messages
Judging: determining category, urgency, sentiment
Preparing: drafting replies, answers and reports
Handling exceptions: not getting stuck on the case that's just a little different

What it isn't

It's not magic and not a replacement for your judgement. AI automation is at its best as an assistant: it takes away the groundwork and leaves the decision where it belongs. Let it loose unsupervised on sensitive work and you're asking for trouble. With human checks in the right place it becomes genuinely reliable.

How it fits the bigger picture

AI automation is the umbrella over workflow automation, AI agents and no-code automation. That last one is often the tool you build it with.

Further

Want to see what this looks like in practice? Then read the examples of AI automation. Curious about the investment? Take a look at what AI automation costs. Or let us think along about where the most time is to be saved in your case.

Frequently asked questions

AI automation: 8 concrete examples from SMEs

No made-up scenarios, but recognisable cases where AI automation saves time every week. Eight examples to draw inspiration from.

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What does AI automation cost? An honest picture

No fixed price tag, but an honest picture. What drives the cost of AI automation, what are realistic figures, and how do you estimate the payback time?