Podcast Image: E05: Automating the Masses: Predictions and Challenges for the Future of Work

E05: Automating the Masses: Predictions and Challenges for the Future of Work

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Mueller, CEO and co-founder of process automation startup Automated, to discuss how AI is enabling companies to democratize and scale automation across their workforces.

Host

Chris Wang

AI Innovation and Strategy Expert, CXC Innovation

Guests

Max Tee

VC Expert, AI Investor, BNY Mellon

Patrick Müller

CEO, Automaited

E05: Automating the Masses: Predictions and Challenges for the Future of Work

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Müller, CEO and co-founder of process automation startup automaited, to discuss how AI is enabling companies to democratize and scale automation across their workforces. Patrick shares how Automaited's AI-powered solution can automatically identify repetitive tasks and build automations that are surfaced via a smart button in each user's workflow - with no coding required. We dive into the huge opportunity to drive efficiency by automating the countless manual processes that exist in most companies today. Patrick explains Automaited's unique pricing model of charging based on the value/complexity of a process, which allows their solution to automate tasks both large and small. The conversation also covers what it takes to build a truly AI-first company, how AI will transform the nature of work in the coming years, and why we shouldn't fear this change but rather embrace it. Whether you're an executive looking to leverage AI to make your organization more efficient or simply curious about the future of work, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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Takeaways

  • Automaited aims to democratize process automation and make it accessible to average knowledge workers.
  • The integration of AI in Automaited's solution enables non-technical users to automate their processes without the need for technical knowledge.
  • Automaited's pricing model is based on the value added by the automation, allowing users to pay for the time and cost savings they achieve.
  • The team behind Automaited consists of technical co-founders who quit their jobs to pursue their vision.
  • Building an AI-first organization requires a clear vision and a willingness to embrace new technology.

Episode Transcript

Welcome and Introduction

Chris, Rod, Max Show (00:00.43)

Welcome to the Chris, Rod, Max Show, where every week we speak to founders and startups in the AI space. Our aim is to shed light on the rapidly evolving AI landscape, talk to the AI founders about their ambitions, and discuss the implications of their work for all of us. This season, we focus on automation and workflow optimization. I'm thrilled to welcome Patrick from Automaited to the show. Hello.

Patrick

Hi, thanks for the invite.

Chris, Rod, Max Show

Great to have you here. We're really excited to learn more about you and Automaited. Why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself?

Patrick

Sure. I'm Patrick, the CEO of Automaited. We are working to democratize process automation. I'm based in Berlin, having moved there a couple of years ago. Before that, I worked for Get Your Guide, a well-known digital company. I have extensive hands-on experience in operations in the I&L space and am curious to see what we will discuss today.

About Automaited

Chris, Rod, Max Show

Tell us a bit more about Automaited. What exactly do you do in workflow optimization?

Patrick

Our goal is to democratize process automation, making it accessible for every knowledge worker in the world. There are a lot of tedious, repetitive tasks out there. Initially, at Christina US, we worked a lot with operational teams around the globe, including large corporations and digital companies like Get Your Guide. The inefficiency of manual tasks is staggering.

Chris, Rod, Max Show

So does that mean we won't have to create slides anymore in the future?

Patrick

Well, slides involve some creativity, so that's different. We focus on repetitive tasks that knowledge workers face every day. For example, in an insurance company, people often need to enter data from spreadsheets into an ERP system, handle service tickets, set up meetings, update base data, or process invoices. Each company has unique processes, and our technology helps automate these without requiring technical knowledge.

AI Applications in Process Automation

Chris, Rod, Max Show (02:18.702)

That's super interesting. Can I jump in with a quick question? You mentioned that your IP is powerful but not very accessible to the average user. How does your process automation allow users to continue with their day and automate tasks seamlessly?

Patrick

Exactly. Traditional automation tools like iPaaS and Zapier are powerful but very technical, which makes them difficult for non-technical knowledge workers to use. We’ve built a system that identifies repetitive patterns and directly builds an automation for the user. It plays out a smart button directly in the user's workflow, enabling them to automate tasks without thinking about it. You just do your daily work, and suddenly this button pops up; you click it, and the system runs your process. This enables everyone to get rid of tedious tasks without needing technical skills.

Changing Processes with AI

Chris, Rod, Max Show (04:30.734)

How does AI enable process changes, especially when data sources and output requirements vary?

Patrick

That's a key point. Many automation companies have powerful tools for standard corporate processes. However, they lack an AI-first approach. They integrate AI as an add-on, which doesn’t address the core problem of realizing and maintaining automation. Our application runs on the user's device and constantly monitors behavior. When there’s a change, the system adapts, either through user input or autonomously.

Compliance and Security

Chris, Rod, Max Show (06:56.557)

How do you ensure compliance and security when integrating with a company's IT landscape?

Patrick

We gather requirements by observing and questioning the system. Our solution often doesn’t need an API, as it mimics user behavior in the background. This scalability allows us to learn UI interfaces and integrate smoothly. For compliance, we keep all our data in Europe, mainly in Frankfurt, or the UK. Ensuring data safety and addressing regulatory changes is crucial for us.

Chris, Rod, Max Show (09:13.741)

Business Process Mapping and Efficiency

Business process mapping can be complex, especially for large corporations with no documentation. How do you handle this?

Patrick

We simplify process mapping by providing a high-level recap to the user. Our system asks the right questions to gather all necessary information. We call it the process consultant—it ensures nothing is missed, creating a full virtual process map.

Pricing Model and Value Addition

Chris, Rod, Max Show (11:25.997)

Your pricing model is quite interesting, as it's based on value added rather than per seat. How does that work?

Patrick

We wanted to democratize process automation by making it accessible to everyone. Our pricing is based on the complexity of the process and the credits used. If a process is short, it costs fewer credits. It's a win-win situation, offering scalability and value for money.

Team Background and Vision

Chris, Rod, Max Show (13:48.589)

Tell us more about your team and the company's vision.

Patrick

Our co-founders, Alex, Dennis, and Eric, met at RWTH Aachen, a prestigious tech university in Germany. They have strong backgrounds in IT security and AI. We focus on building innovative technology and understanding customer needs. We are a team of 18 people, pushing the boundaries of tech and commercializing our platform.

Future Roadmap and AI Integration

Chris, Rod, Max Show (16:10.253)

What does the future hold for Automaited?

Patrick

We aim to make our self-service functionality market-ready, enabling users to automate workflows without manual intervention. Our goal is to allow anyone to run our tool and automate their processes effortlessly.

Impact of AI and Market Insights

Chris, Rod, Max Show (18:30.765)

How do you see the market for AI and process automation evolving?

Patrick

AI is becoming integral to many applications, especially in automation. We see a future where AI helps create self-learning interfaces, reducing the need for manual input. The inflection point will be when systems can learn and adapt to any interface independently.

The Future of Work with AI

Chris, Rod, Max Show (27:54.669)

Do you believe AI will replace many jobs by the 2030s?

Patrick

Some jobs will be automated, but new jobs will also emerge. AI and technology will change the nature of work, but humans will always find new roles.

Building an AI-First Organization

Chris, Rod, Max Show (30:13.069)

How would you build an AI-first organization?

Patrick

To build an AI-first organization, you need to think beyond current structures and technologies. It's about creating a new product or service around AI, separate from the core business. Integrating AI into a larger organization brings benefits, but it won’t be truly AI-first unless it's built from the ground up.

Final Thoughts and Future Industries

Chris, Rod, Max Show (32:37.613)

Where do you see Automaited in the next few years?

Patrick

We aim to have a fully market-ready self-service tool that democratizes process automation. Our vision is to enable everyone to automate their workflows seamlessly, with minimal manual intervention.

How to Learn More About Automaited

Chris, Rod, Max Show (34:50.413)

Where can people find out more about Automaited and connect with you?

Patrick

You can visit automaited.com and book a demo, which usually lands with me. You can also find me on LinkedIn under Patrick Mueller with Automaited.

Chris, Rod, Max Show

Thank you so much, Patrick. This was really interesting.

Patrick

Thanks for having me.

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