RPA on the Rise: IT Teams Embrace Automation to Tackle Growing Demands

Artificial Intelligence

Mokshita P.
Artificial Intelligence
Published:

RPA on the Rise: IT Teams Embrace Automation to Tackle Growing Demands

AI's Productivity Boost Anticipated by 85 percent, But 62 percent Face Data System Integration Hurdles, According to MuleSoft's Connectivity Benchmark Report.

In a study conducted by Salesforce, key insights have emerged regarding the expectations, challenges, and opportunities for AI integration within IT organisations globally. The research, encapsulated in MuleSoft’s annual Connectivity Benchmark Report, surveyed 1,050 Chief Information Officers and IT decision-makers worldwide, shedding light on the landscape of AI adoption and integration.

One of the findings indicates that 85 percent of IT leaders anticipate AI to significantly enhance developer productivity within their organisations over the next three years. This optimism comes amidst a staggering 39 percent surge in IT requests experienced by these organisations over the past year alone, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced efficiency and automation in IT operations.

However, despite the promising outlook, a substantial 62 percent of respondents expressed concerns about their organisation's readiness to synchronise data systems effectively, thereby hindering the seamless integration of AI technologies. This sentiment reflects a broader challenge faced by 98 percent of IT organisations, who reported encountering varying degrees of difficulty in their digital transformation endeavours.

Data silos emerged as a major bottleneck, with 80 percent of respondents citing concerns about disparate data sources impeding the full realisation of AI's potential. In fact, 81 percent highlighted data silos as a significant barrier to digital transformation efforts, emphasizing the urgent need for cohesive data integration strategies.

Moreover, while AI adoption holds the promise of transformative outcomes, security and trust remain paramount concerns, with 64 percent of IT leaders expressing apprehensions about ethical AI usage and adoption.

In addressing these challenges, the report underscores the important role of integration, automation, and APIs in boosting successful AI strategies. APIs, in particular, have emerged as a lever for growth, with an estimated 33 percent of all revenue attributed to API-related offerings.

Param Kahlon, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Automation and Integration at Salesforce, emphasised the critical importance of overcoming integration and automation challenges for organisations to harness the full potential of AI. Kahlon stated, "AI is only as powerful as the data organisations can connect to it and the outcomes they can drive from it. Fundamentally, these are integration and automation challenges organisations are facing."

Furthermore, the research underscores the necessity for collaborative efforts to bridge the skills gap within IT teams, empowering them to lead automation effectively while boosting innovation and efficiency.

As organisations navigate the complex landscape of AI integration, the insights gleaned from this research serve as a roadmap for overcoming challenges and unlocking the transformative power of AI in driving business and customer value.

The findings of the Salesforce research highlight a critical juncture in the evolution of AI adoption, where integration, automation, and collaboration stand as linchpins for success in the digital era.