Robotic process automation is the use of specialized computer programs, known as software robots, to automate and standardize repeatable business processes. Imagine a robot sitting in front of a computer looking at the same applications and performing the same keystrokes as a person would. While robotic process automation does not involve any form of physical robots, software robots mimic human activities by interacting with applications in the same way that a person does. Working as a virtual business assistant, bots complete tedious tasks, freeing up time for employees to concentrate on more engaging, revenue-generating tasks. Part of the beauty of robotic process automation technology is that it offers even non-technical employees the tools to configure their own software robots to solve automation challenges.

The challenge most CTOs face is that automation -- up until this point -- has been a largely organic affair. Different organisational groups handle it in separate, often duplicative, ways. That has led to "islands of automation" in many organisations: redundant processes and tools duplicated with little regard for standards, governance, or metrics relevant to the business such as product revenue or time to market. In 2020, CTOs will see automation challenges arise from this. In 2020, 3.9% of cubicle jobs will be removed from the economy.

DUBAI: We live in an age in which talking to a machine is no longer a futuristic concept. Many activities and fields are being shaped by innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, a phenomenon that is fundamentally altering the nature of human interaction, consumption of information and, more controversially, the nature of employment. Adoption of innovations such as voice recognition, virtual agents and biometrics could be the only way for humans to survive in the coming age of automation. Amid the surge in human-machine cooperation, many people nevertheless are eager to find out what the future holds. Will robots outsmart humans and steal their jobs?

So, what is Robotic Process Automation? Simply put, it's the use of computer programs in the form of software robots, to standardize and automate repeatable business processes. Imagine having a robot sitting on a computer performing the same computer keystrokes and opening the same applications as humans do. While it doesn't require physical robots, software robots tend to mimic human activities via working with applications the same way a normal person does. With robotic process automation, bots can complete repetitive tasks, which frees up the employees time to work on more revenue-generating tasks for the company.

There's a rising chorus of concern about how quickly robots are taking away human jobs. Jobs are vanishing much faster than anyone ever imagined. In 2013, policy makers largely ignored two Oxford economists who suggested that 45% of all US jobs could be automated away within the next 20 years. But today that sounds all but inevitable. Those self-driving cars you keep hearing about are about to replace a lot of human workers.

There's a rising chorus of concern about how quickly robots are taking away human jobs. Jobs are vanishing much faster than anyone ever imagined. In 2013, policy makers largely ignored two Oxford economists who suggested that 45% of all US jobs could be automated away within the next 20 years. But today that sounds all but inevitable. Those self-driving cars you keep hearing about are about to replace a lot of human workers.

And Uber just bought a self-driving truck company. As self driving cars become legal in more states, we'll see a rapid automation of all of these driving jobs. If a one-time $30,000 truck retrofit can replace a $40,000 per year human trucker, there will soon be a million truckers out of work. And it's not just the drivers being replaced. Soon entire warehouses will be fully automated.