Automation and AI Automation is basically making a hardware or software that is capable of doing things automatically — without human intervention. Artificial Intelligence, however, is a science and engineering of making intelligent machines Intelligent automation is the combination of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and process automation that is used to create smart business processes and workflows that think, learn, and adapt on their own. AI is often confused with automation, yet the two are fundamentally different. Dr Mark Nasila, FNB's Chief Analytics Officer for Consumer Banking, explains the key difference is that AI mimics human intelligence decisions and actions, while automation focuses on streamlining repetitive, instructive tasks.