Bot Nirvana | AI & Automation Podcast

By: Nandan Mullakara
  • Summary

  • Bot Nirvana is a podcast on all things Intelligent Automation. We cover RPA, AI, Process Intelligence, Process Mining, and a host of other tools and techniques for intelligent automation.
    © 2023 Bot Nirvana
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Episodes
  • Alex and Doug
    Apr 22 2025

    In this episode, we are joined by Intelligent Automation experts Doug Shannon and Alex Dixon to unravel the complex terminology dominating today's Agentic AI automation landscape. The conversation delves into how enterprises are integrating cognitive abilities into traditional automation workflows, exploring the evolution from RPA to intelligent automation and now to agentic process automation.

    Key topics discussed:

    • Defining agentic process automation and how it differs from traditional RPA
    • Large Action Models (LAMs) and how they're transforming UI-based automation
    • How process mining and task mining data are fueling the next generation of automation
    • The importance of maintaining guardrails and human oversight in enterprise automation
    • The convergence of application modernization and automation technologies
    • The distinction between workflow-based agentic automation and goal-oriented AI agents
    • Real-world examples of automation implementation in call centers and other business processes
    • The promising future of combining LLMs and LAMs to reimagine how work happens

    More information and Links:

    Connect with Alex: linkedin.com/in/alexanderrdixon/ Connect with Doug: linkedin.com/in/doug-shannon/ Visit Nandan on the web at nandan.info

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    26 mins
  • Manish Ballal
    Feb 19 2025

    Manish Ballal is a GTM and Sales leader with over a decade of experience in the automation space. He is currently leading Generative AI initiatives at Amazon Web Services (AWS).

    He brings a wealth of experience from both large global technology companies and startups. Previously, he held leadership roles at major GSIs and had a significant tenure at Automation Anywhere.

    In this episode, we discuss: - Automation evolution - Enterprise deployments - Specific use cases - Challenges with security, AI agents - Process-first approach - Vertical Agents

    More information and Links:

    Connect with Manish: Linkedin.com/in/manishballal/ Visit Nandan on the web at nandan.info

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    26 mins
  • Agentic Process Automation (APA)
    Sep 18 2024
    In this episode, we explore Agentic Process Automation (APA), a paradigm that could revolutionize digital automation by harnessing the power of AI agents. The discussion focuses on the ProAgent system as an example of APA. APA introduces a new paradigm where AI-driven agents can analyze, decide, and execute complex tasks with minimal human intervention. We'll unpack the groundbreaking Automation concept which showcases the true potential of AI agents through its innovative approach to workflow construction and execution. Key Topics Covered Introduction to Agentic Process Automation (APA)Comparison between traditional Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and APAProAgent: A prime example of APA implementationKey innovations of ProAgent: Agentic workflow constructionAgentic workflow execution Types of agents in ProAgent: Data agentsControl agents Case study: Using ProAgent with Google Sheets for business line managementPotential impacts and implications of APA on work and decision-makingFuture developments and considerations for APA technology This episode was generated using Google Notebook LM, drawing insights from the paper "ProAgent: From Robotic Process Automation to Agentic Process Automation" Stay ahead in your AI journey with Bot Nirvana AI Mastermind. Podcast Transcript All right, everyone. Buckle up, because today's deep dive is going to be a wild ride through the future of automation. We're talking way beyond those basic schedule this kind of tasks. Yeah, we're diving headfirst into the realm where AI takes the wheel and handles the thinking for us. Oh, yeah, the thinking part. Yeah. If you could give your computer a really complex task, something that needs analysis, decision-making, maybe even a dash of creativity, that's what we're talking about. And right now, your typical automation tools, they would hit a wall. Hard. They're great at following those rigid step-by-step instructions. Like robots. Exactly. But when it comes to anything that requires actual brain power. Still got to do it ourselves. Well, that's where this research paper we're diving into today comes in. It's all about something called agentic process automation, or APA for short. And let me tell you, this stuff has the potential to completely change the game. OK, for those of us who haven't dedicated our lives to the art of automation, give us the lowdown. What is APA, and why is it such a big deal? Think about your current automation workhorse RPA, robotic process automation. It's like that super reliable assistant who never complains but needs very specific instructions for every single step. Right. Amazing at those repetitive tasks, but needs you to hold their hand through every decision point. Exactly. Now, imagine that same assistant, but with a secret weapon, an AI sidekick whispering genius solutions in their ear. OK, now you're talking. That's APA in a nutshell. We're giving RPA a massive intelligence boost. So instead of just blindly following pre-programmed rules, we're talking about automation that can actually think. You got it. APA introduces the idea of agents, which are basically AI helpers embedded directly into the workflow. These agents can analyze data, make judgment calls based on that analysis, and even generate things like reports, all without a human meticulously laying out each step. So it's not just about automating tasks anymore. It's about automating the intelligence behind those tasks. You're catching on quickly. And this paper focuses on a system called ProAgent as a prime example of APA in action. All right, lay it on us. What is ProAgent? So ProAgent really highlights the potential of APA with two key innovations-- agentic workflow construction and agentic workflow execution. OK, so those are some pretty hefty terms. Can you break those down for us? Let's start with how ProAgent constructs workflows. What makes it so revolutionary? Well, with your traditional RPA, you're stuck painstakingly designing every single step of the process. It's like writing a super detailed manual for a robot. Right, like you don't want the robot to deviate at all. Exactly. But ProAgent flips the script instead of you having to lay out every tiny detail. I can just, like, figure it out. You give it high level instructions, and the LLM-- that's the AI engine-- actually builds the workflow for you. Wait, so it's like you're telling it what you want to achieve, and it figures out the how to. Think of it like having an AI assistant who understands your goals and can translate those goals into a functional workflow. OK, that is seriously cool. And then, agentic workflow execution-- that's where those agents we talked about come in, right? They're the ones actually doing the heavy lifting. You got it. ProAgent uses two types of agents-- data agents and control agents. They work together like specialized teams within your automated workflow. OK, I'm really curious about these specialist teams now. Let's start with the data ...
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    11 mins
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