Recent advancements in Generative AI and machine learning (ML) have enthralled enterprises and consumers alike, as we recently saw with the launch of GPT-4. Language models like GPT, LLM (large language models), and other AI-powered technologies have shown tremendous potential in transforming human-machine collaboration, unlocking new levels of efficiency superpowers.
The buzz around these developments is not without reason. A PwC survey found that over half of global organizations are currently using AI to improve decision-making, and 81% of those businesses anticipate that AI will be a competitive advantage for their business over the next three years. In addition, the survey indicated that 45% of executives felt AI improved their ability to make judgments and that 44% felt AI lowered operating costs.
By automating processes, allowing human workers more time for higher-order tasks, and making data-driven decisions possible, these potent tools are reshaping sectors as diverse as consumer packaged goods (CPG), energy, and public sectors. Microsoft has clearly been an early mover in the space, transforming its offerings like Power Platform to make it simple for organizations to create custom applications, automate workflows, and analyze data. And we’re thrilled to be their long-term partners, collaborating closely with customers to help them make the most of their Microsoft investments.
Acuvate uses Power Platform to help businesses become more productive and innovative, empowering them to maximize output, streamline processes, and maintain momentum in a dynamic marketplace.
And now, it all gets better with the rapid evolution of Power Platform and its no-code AI-based superpowers. Let’s see how.
The Evolution of Microsoft Power Platform with AI Integration
Microsoft’s Power Platform is an enterprise application suite that has significantly advanced over the years to take advantage of AI-driven advancements in software design. Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Virtual Agents are all parts of the new Power Platform, which was released in 2018. Its primary purpose is to help users with diverse technical backgrounds and skills create their own applications, automate workflows, and analyze data with ease.
Power Platform’s journey towards AI-powered development started with the inclusion of AI Builder, a low-code AI tool that facilitates the creation of intelligent applications. Launched in 2019, AI Builder uses pre-built AI models and lets users develop bespoke models to make AI more widely available. The Power Platform package also includes Power Apps, which uses AI to generate low-code applications with extensive customization options.
The widespread availability of software development tools is primarily owed to the inclusion of GPT in Power Automate and Power Virtual Agents. In addition, by incorporating Copilot, Microsoft has made it easier for developers and non-developers to create robust, AI-driven automation and conversational agents. This AI tool uses GPT to help developers create code more quickly and effectively into Power Automate and Power Virtual Agents.
How we interact with software has been revolutionized by natural language processing, driven by cutting-edge AI models such as GPT. It has allowed users to design complex workflows and digital assistants based on natural language.
Integrating AI services such as AI Builder, Copilot, and GPT has drastically reduced entry barriers, making it possible for users of varying experience levels to build their own apps, automate processes, and conduct in-depth data analyses. As a result, we anticipate increased democratization of software development as natural language processing technology improves, allowing more individuals and businesses to create and thrive in a highly competitive global economy.
Copilot in Power Apps: Building Intuitive Applications
Microsoft’s PowerApps platform has decreased the time between businesses needing an app and one being available to solve their problem. In addition, power Apps stand out from similar solutions since they can be adapted to a user’s specific needs with intuitive visual tools that are no-code/low-code and work independently of the platform or browser.
Integrating Copilot in Power Apps will change how businesses approach app development. Considering the Gartner report outlining how 65% of app development will go the no-code/low-code route, including Copilot makes even more sense as it further simplifies the steps required to make an app.
By leveraging advanced AI technologies like GPT, Copilot empowers data-centric business users to take charge of app development while allowing professional developers to focus on higher-level software strategies. In addition, it acts as a virtual assistant for users during the app development process.
Users can quickly start making an app with Copilot in Power Apps by simply typing a few words in natural language. Simply describe your requirements, and Power Apps will promptly generate a functional app, complete with a database and logical flow. By understanding the context of the user’s actions, Copilot also generates personalized code suggestions in real-time in Power Apps, guiding users through the development process and ensuring best practices are followed.
This approach to app development democratizes the creation process, empowering users to create applications that cater specifically to the needs of the CPG sector. For instance, Copilot can help business users develop applications to track and analyze consumer trends, demand forecasting, pricing optimization, optimize supply chain management, and monitor inventory levels in real time.
Furthermore, Copilot’s integration with Power Apps allows for seamless collaboration between business users and professional developers. While Copilot generates a solid foundation for the application, developers can review and fine-tune the code to ensure that it meets the organization’s strategic goals. This collaborative approach streamlines the development process, reduces the time to market for new applications, and drives innovation within sectors like CPG, energy and government.
Another advantage of Copilot in Power Apps for app development is the ability to leverage pre-built templates and connectors. These resources make it easy for users to incorporate data from various sources, such as ERP systems, CRM platforms, and IoT devices, into their applications.
For example, by providing a unified view of critical business data, these custom applications enable CPG organizations to make data-driven decisions and stay ahead of the competition.
Copilot in Power Automate: Streamlining Business Processes
Copilot has made it possible for energy companies to streamline operations, optimize resource management, and make data-driven decisions by encouraging the use of natural language for software and workflow automation.
Complex workflow creation in the energy industry used to be a time-consuming and resource-heavy operation, frequently requiring the intervention of professional developers or IT specialists. The addition of Copilot in Power Automate has changed this.
Authoring your flows in Power Automate with Copilot will be a free-form, conversational experience. You can get answers to your queries and suggestions on optimizing and altering the project as you go along. Any process, from the most basic flow to the most sophisticated, enterprise-wide procedure, can be created and improved with Power Automate using only natural language and no prior experience with the software.
With the launch of AI copilot in Power Automate, Microsoft is taking the next step in the evolution of code abstraction, shifting from custom code to low code to natural language authoring. By making workflow automation more accessible, energy firms can reduce their development cycles, rely less on their IT staff, and boost their productivity.
Copilot’s integration in Power Automate encourages data-centric app development by providing pre-built connectors and templates that make it easy for users to incorporate data from various sources into their workflows.
This enables companies in sectors like energy, CPG and government to create workflows tailored to their specific needs and that leverage the full potential of their data to make informed decisions about resource allocation, risk management, and operational efficiency. Additionally, the built-in compliance features help ensure that workflows adhere to industry regulations and best practices, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.
Copilot in Power Virtual Agents: Accelerating Chatbot Development
As part of their digital transformation, numerous sectors, including CPG, energy and government, now prioritize the creation of intelligent chatbots. According to a survey by Grand View Research, the worldwide chatbot industry will expand from its 2019 valuation of USD 2.6 billion at a CAGR of 24.3% between 2020 and 2027.
An excellent example of this is a leading public sector water supply company that serves around 9 million people with potable water. By implementing chatbots and conversational AI, the company was able to reduce SLA delays and achieve 90% faster processing while also reducing HR time by up to 60 person weeks annually.
This reiterates that intelligent chatbots have the potential to enhance customer service, streamline operations, and boost productivity, but several challenges complicate their development. Foremost, there is a shortage of people with the right skills in AI development, making it hard for organizations to hire people who can create intelligent chatbots.
Developing an NLU system is the primary obstacle to overcome while designing intelligent chatbots. This system must be adaptable enough to comprehend a wide range of user inputs, such as slang, misspelled words, and varying sentence structures. Building an NLU system that can correctly decipher user input and return useful results is a challenging task requiring in-depth familiarity with natural language processing and machine learning techniques.
The requirement for in-depth domain knowledge is yet another obstacle. A chatbot’s level of intelligence is directly proportional to the depth of its understanding of the industry, processes, and services it supports. As a result, developers need to collect, organize, and input a great deal of domain-specific data into the chatbot system, which demands plenty of manual effort.
A constant effort is needed to keep a chatbot running and updated. The chatbot needs regular updates to keep it up-to-date and correct as new information is discovered or processes are modified. This can be lengthy and tedious, adding to the dearth of AI development talent.
Copilot and the generative AI in Power Virtual Agents provide a robust solution that expedites the development of chatbots for public sector use, thereby helping to close the gap in AI development expertise.
Power Virtual Agents’ generative AI is another key enabler for rapid chatbot development. Advanced machine learning methods allow chatbots to automatically generate appropriate responses and perform tasks in response to user input. Generative AI provides accurate and relevant answers with little help from the user.
In addition, Power Virtual Agents comes with a selection of pre-made connectors and templates for integrating data from multiple sources. The ability to swiftly and efficiently design chatbots with deep domain expertise eliminates the need for developers and non-technical users to spend a lot of time collecting and organizing data.
Copilot and generative AI in Power Virtual Agents have the potential to enhance public service delivery greatly. Facilitating quicker chatbot development would help public sector organizations better respond to citizen inquiries, fulfill requests, and provide assistance. In addition, this technology can ease the workload of human agents so they can focus on providing timely and accurate service to citizens.
The Acuvate Advantage with Power Platform and AI
Thanks to GPT and Microsoft’s Power Platform, low-code development options are now available, allowing employees across organizations to create applications, automate processes, and build chatbots with little to no technical skills.
Low-code development promotes a more agile and collaborative workplace by empowering non-technical users to participate in innovative thinking and problem-solving. In addition, involving personnel in the digital transformation process promotes a culture of constant development and increases employee enthusiasm.
We also have the brilliant success story of Baby Dove, a sub-brand of Unilever that managed to drop the customer acquisition cost by 85%, thanks to a conversational chatbot built by Acuvate and integrated into the brand’s Facebook Messenger. In addition, by offering personalized recommendations for over 100k mothers using conversational AI, Baby Dove’s chatbot was able to provide relevant answers to the queries and was recognized as Best in Advancing Signals at the Meta Partner Day 2021.
As a frontrunner in AI-driven solutions, Acuvate bridges the skill gap by bringing together the strengths of Power Platform and Conversational AI to help businesses create AI chatbots, automate routine tasks, and uncover valuable insights by consolidating numerous data sources.
By continuously innovating with the Power Platform and conversational AI, Acuvate helps businesses adapt to the changing digital world, seize the opportunities presented by new technologies, and fuel long-term success.
Start your conversational AI transformation with Acuvate now!
