IT automation is transforming how organizations operate by streamlining repetitive tasks, integrating systems, and managing infrastructure. As per PwC, 20% of jobs could be automated by the late 2020s due to automation. There has been growing interest in leveraging IT automation, as evident from Google Trends data showing upward search popularity since 2011:
Figure 1: Interest in IT automation worldwide from 2011-2023. Source: Google Trends
IT leaders recognize automation as a competitive advantage. Almost 99% consider it critical to their digital transformation strategy. This article analyzes the top IT automation trends based on expert opinions and original research.
Common Trends in IT Automation
Certain automation trends apply across IT domains:
1. AI and Machine Learning
AI and ML allow IT automation solutions to learn and adapt without extensive human input. By 2025, 90% of apps will likely use AI, enabling:
- Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) to increase efficiency
- ML testing to improve automation
- Intelligent Document Processing to process unstructured data with NLP and OCR
"AI is the brains behind automation – together they will transform work as we know it," says Mike Gualtieri, VP at Forrester.
2. Hyperautomation
Hyperautomation combines technologies like RPA, BPA, AI and integration tools to automate end-to-end business processes. This accelerates digital transformation through higher efficiency and agility.
3. Low-Code Automation
As per IDC, 70% of new apps will use low-code or no-code by 2025. These tools empower citizen developers to build automation without coding, streamlining IT efforts.
Advanced Technologies Driving Innovation
Certain cutting-edge technologies are enabling new IT automation capabilities:
4. Automated Machine Learning (AutoML)
AutoML automates ML model development by programmatically applying ML best practices to find the best model for a dataset. According to Reports and Data, the AutoML market will grow by 43.7% until 2030, indicating strong investment. AutoML augments human data scientists to help scale AI across the enterprise.
5. Event Streaming
Event streaming processes real-time data from event sources like apps, IoT devices, APIs or databases. As per Gartner, 75% of organizations will leverage event streaming by 2023 for automation use cases like fraud detection, predictive maintenance and real-time alerts.
"Event streaming is a key capability for hyperautomation goals," notes Nicholas McQuire, VP at CCS Insight.
6. Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics applies statistical and machine learning models to predict outcomes from data. It powers forecasting automation use cases. Per McKinsey, analytics automation could free up 50-70% of data scientists‘ time for higher value analysis.
7. Process Mining
Process mining uses event log data to model and analyze processes. IDC predicts 30% of large firms will use process mining software by 2023, indicating growth. It powers automation use cases like process discovery, compliance assurance and optimization.
Domain-Specific IT Automation Trends
Let‘s explore trends in specific IT domains:
8. Cloud Automation
Per Gartner, 40% of enterprise workloads will run on public cloud infrastructure by 2025. IT automation helps enterprises manage and optimize complex multi-cloud or hybrid cloud environments.
"Cloud automation is pivotal in scaling cloud ops teams," says Michael Warrilow, VP at Gartner.
9. Container Automation
Gartner predicts 75% of large organizations will use container management by 2024, indicating growth in containerized, cloud-native apps. IT automation solutions can configure, orchestrate and manage containers at scale.
10. DevOps Automation
40% of IT teams will likely adopt AIOps and MLOps in DevOps pipelines by 2023 to reduce downtime by 20%. IT automation provides the necessary infrastructure and workflows to scale AI/ML for continuous delivery.
"Automation is the breakthrough DevOps teams need to remove process bottlenecks and accelerate delivery" notes IBM Cloud‘s Nicolas Chevobbe.
11. Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
With IaC, infrastructure elements like networks and servers are provisioned and managed through code. IaC enables faster, consistent infrastructure deployment, which is why 94% of firms aim to use IaC by 2024 according to F5 Networks.
12. IT Operations Automation
ITOps automation is gaining interest driven by AIOps for smarter IT management. Organizations could reallocate 30% of ITOps efforts into continuous engineering by 2024 via automation.
"AIOps powered automation will transform ITOps from reactive to proactive," says Gartner‘s Mr. Warrilow.
13. Security Automation
IT security faces rising threats, requiring investments in automation. As per Gartner‘s predictions, 50% of firms will vet partner cybersecurity postures via automation while 30% of security teams will leverage SOAR solutions for threat detection and response by 2025.
14. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
RPA uses software bots to automate repetitive, rules-based tasks. Per Gartner, RPA is the fastest growing enterprise software segment, projected to see 23.1% CAGR from 2021-2026 as process automation investments rise.
15. Intelligent Process Automation (IPA)
IPA combines RPA, AI and other capabilities for advanced process automation. This shift from basic to intelligent automation is driving growth. The IPA market is expected to reach $14.3 billion globally by 2025, indicating strong demand.
Emerging Use Cases to Watch
Keep an eye on these evolving automation spaces:
IT Helpdesk and Service Automation: AI chatbots and virtual agents can resolve IT tickets faster via natural conversations. Per Gartner, 25% of organizations will use conversational AI for IT operations by 2025.
Automated Analytics and Business Intelligence: Solutions like automated data science platforms, AutoML and natural language generation tools accelerate analytics velocity through automation.
Automated Testing: AI test automation leverages computer vision, ML and voice capabilities to simulate human actions and decision making for intelligent test case design and test creation. According to Gartner, 30% of QA test cases will likely be auto-generated this way by 2023.
No Ops Data Platforms: These emerging solutions promise autonomous data infrastructure management without operations engineers. Forrester predicts broader adoption by 2025 driven by analytics and ML automation.
Thought Leadership Perspective on Automation
As a data analytics expert, I see immense potential for analytics-driven automation. Solutions can ingest real-time data from multiple sources and apply analytics models automatically to surface insights and trigger responses. Key use cases I see gaining traction include:
- Automated anomaly detection for cybersecurity
- Predictive maintenance analytics preventing equipment failures
- Automated personalized marketing through predictive lead scoring
- Intelligent forecasting guiding supply chain decisions
"Automated analytics unlocks tremendous value and productivity via data-driven automation at scale," notes Bernard Marr, Forbes analytics contributor.
Additionally, automation platforms enabled by machine learning will transform how organizations operate. ML delivers capabilities like adaptive interfaces, predictive recommendations, self-optimizing processes and applications that continually improve through auto-experimentation and learning. Boeing, Siemens and Mastercard showcase ML accelerating automation ROI across IT and business domains.
Finally, as a big data technologist, I see vast potential for harnessing high-volume, high-velocity data sources to drive automation. Whether Batch automation processing IoT data streams or RPA systems adapting through real-time data integration, big data fuels intelligent automation. Leaders integrating automation and big data analytics will gain competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways
Here are the critical points about IT automation trends:
- AI and ML allow automation solutions to self-optimize through data
- Hyperautomation and integration solve digital transformation hurdles
- Low-code democratizes automation for accelerated outcomes
- Cloud, containers and DevOps drive enterprise automation
- ITOps automation is maturing thanks to AIOps
- Security automation is vital given the expanding threat landscape
- RPA and IPA growth highlight rising intelligent process automation
- Conversational AI indicates the future of automated IT support
- Automated analytics unlocks the value of untapped data at scale
IT leaders must actively track these trends to stay competitive. While individual results may vary based on context, automation is essential for the road ahead.
