What Is a Digital Worker? Understanding Software Bots

31st October 2023 | By Andy Morley

Have you ever wondered what a software bot is? The truth is, they are becoming increasingly essential in today’s digital age.With automation becoming more prevalent in the workplace, businesses are turning to a new type of worker. So, what exactly is a digital worker and how do they fit into our modern world?

Defining Software Bots

A software bot is a computer program that operates autonomously to carry out specific tasks. These bots are created to complete simple, repetitive tasks, leaving more complex jobs to human employees.

They can be programmed in numerous ways, depending on the type of task they are required to complete. They can interact with software, browse the web, input data and extract information, all of which save time and effort.

Their autonomy means that they don’t require breaks, don’t make mistakes and don’t take holidays.

What Is a Digital Worker?

In the past, when the question “what is a digital worker” was asked, it would’ve generally described somebody with digital skills.

Now, however, when we talk about digital workers, we are referring to software bots that have been designed to act and work like a human.

As previously mentioned, they’re programmed to understand intent, recognise natural language and perform a range of tasks that require perception, reasoning and decision-making.

In other words, they’re designed to mimic human behaviour. Digital workers can perform a range of tasks, from customer service to finance and accounting, and even healthcare.

Types of Digital Workers

There are several types of digital workers, including chatbots, AI assistants and robotic process automation (RPA).

Chatbots are becoming more popular in the customer service industry and have been known to interact with customers, answer questions and resolve issues. Many companies are now using them across a range of lead generation platforms, such as their own websites and social media messaging.

AI assistants, such as Siri and Alexa, are becoming more advanced with voice recognition and natural language processing. There are even rumours that Apple is looking at making Siri even smarter by implementing a ChatGPT style AI feature.

RPA bots are designed to automate processes that are time-consuming and repetitive, such as invoicing and data entry.

These different technologies can also work together to bolster outputs.

The Role of Digital Workers in Different Industries

Digital workers have the potential to transform any business, regardless of its industry.

With that being said, some industries have already begun to utilise digital workers to a high degree.

For example, in healthcare RPA settings, digital workers can reduce administrative tasks so that medical professionals can spend more time focused on patient care.

In banking and financial services, RPA bots can automate tasks such as account reconciliations and regulatory compliance.

With regards to the construction industry, digital workers play a critical role in enhancing efficiency and accuracy. For instance, AI-powered bots are employed for tasks like project estimation and risk assessment, while drones provide real-time project monitoring and site inspection.

When it comes to health and safety, AI-driven digital workers are being used to automate the process of hazard identification and risk assessment. They can review vast amounts of safety data, identify patterns and provide actionable insights to prevent workplace accidents.

The pharmaceutical sector, on the other hand, understands that digital workers are revolutionising the way in which research is conducted. They can screen vast libraries of compounds for potential therapeutic effects, significantly accelerating the drug discovery process. On top of this, RPA bots are employed to manage complex regulatory compliance tasks, reducing the potential for human error.

The education industry is also not left behind. AI-powered chatbots are increasingly being used to provide 24/7 student support, answering queries and offering personalised learning resources. AI-based grading bots are emerging, reducing the workload of educators and providing students with immediate feedback on their assignments.

Advantages of Digital Workers

There are numerous advantages of using digital workers in a business setting, including, but not limited to, the following:

They’re efficient, reliable and can work 24/7
They save businesses money on salaries and employee benefits
They can automate repetitive, mundane tasks, leaving employees to focus on more complex, strategic issues
By automating repetitive tasks, it frees up employees to work on more fulfilling tasks and projects

Challenges and Limitations of Digital Workers

Despite their many advantages, digital workers are not without limitations and challenges.

One of the biggest challenges is technical issues. Bots can malfunction, and it can be challenging to diagnose and repair these issues.

Bots are also limited in their understanding of complex tasks, which means humans will always be essential for strategic decision-making and advanced problem-solving.

That said, the right balance of human and RPA input has helped a huge number of companies reimagine their processes and kick on to the next level.

The Future of Digital Workers

The future of digital workers looks bright.

The predicted trends indicate that the market for digital workers will continue to grow, with more industries adopting automation.

As technology improves, so too will the functionality and capabilities of digital workers. They will become more sophisticated, better equipped to handle complex tasks and capable of learning from problem-solving situations.

Ultimately, this will lead to a more productive and efficient workforce.

There’s no better time than now to start considering how these digital workers can streamline processes, boost efficiency and free your human employees to focus on more strategic tasks.

Take the first step towards a more innovative and productive future for your business by investigating the possibilities that digital workers offer.

Get in touch with the team at Robocloud today to discover how we can help your business get started with digital workers.