The Evolution of Automation: Understanding how RPA and AI Agents Can Transform Automation
About Topic
For years, automation in the industry has been synonymous with Robotic Process Automation (RPA) — rule-based bots handling repetitive tasks. But with the rise of agentic AI, many industries are now asking: Should we fully replace RPA with autonomous agents?
In this session, we’ll break down why this isn’t an either-or decision. We’ll walk through scenarios where agentic AI can completely replace RPA — and others where the two can work together seamlessly. Like any new AI shift, the real challenges aren’t just technical — they lie in industry constraints, integration complexities, and ensuring a smooth transition.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the difference between traditional RPA and agentic AI and why automation is no longer an either-or decision.
- Learn to classify different types of Agent + RPA collaboration models and when each makes sense.
- Explore real-world examples where agentic AI fully replaces RPA and where hybrid approaches are more practical.
- Unpack the real challenges of adopting agentic AI from industry constraints to integration and ensuring seamless transitions.
About Speaker
Aishwarya Naresh Reganti is an Applied Science Tech Lead at the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center (GenAIIC), where she leads initiatives to develop and deploy production-ready generative AI solutions for AWS clients. With over 9 years of experience in machine learning, she has published more than 35 research papers at top-tier AI conferences, including EMNLP, AAAI, and CVPR.
Beyond her role at AWS, Aishwarya has taught professional courses on generative AI at renowned institutions like MIT and Oxford. She has also designed free courses that have reached over 8,000 students globally and have formed the foundation for several academic programs and industry training curricula. Recognized as one of the most prominent voices in enterprise AI, with over 80,000 professionals following her on LinkedIn, she is a sought-after thought leader frequently invited to speak at leading conferences and events, including TEDx, MLOps World, and ReWork.
Aishwarya actively collaborates with leading research professors and provides strategic advisory to organizations, enabling them to harness AI effectively to address complex business challenges.
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