AI and automation: which tasks are they suited to?
Not every job gets automated. We explain which jobs are suitable for automation and what to ask during evaluation.
Automation is running repetitive tasks on their own by tying them to rules. AI can add abilities such as understanding, classifying or summarizing text to these flows. But not every task suits it.
Common traits of tasks suited to automation
- Repeats often (daily, weekly)
- Steps are defined and repeated the same way each time
- Takes time and carries a risk of errors when done by hand
- Involves moving data from one system to another
Example areas
- First reply to frequent customer questions
- Forwarding requests from the form to the right person
- Data entry and table updates
- Preparing periodic reports and notifications
Work that needs care
For tasks that are rare, require a different decision each time or where a mistake is costly, human oversight is needed instead of automation. In these cases AI can be used as an assistant that prepares the work rather than making the decision.
Questions for evaluation
- How many people does the work take, and how much of their time?
- Which systems need to be connected?
- If something goes wrong, who will notice and how?
- How will we measure success?
Write the process down first. It's hard to automate a job you can't describe clearly.
This article is for general information. We recommend consulting the relevant specialist for legal, financial or technical decisions.
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