Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing automation, enabling businesses to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and make data-driven decisions. Microsoft AI Builder, a key component of the Power Platform, enhances Power Automate workflows by integrating AI-driven capabilities into business processes.
From document processing to predictive analytics, AI Builder helps businesses automate complex tasks, reduce manual effort, and drive smarter workflows.
1. What is AI Builder?
AI Builder is a low-code AI platform within Power Automate and Power Apps that allows businesses to add intelligence to their workflows without requiring coding expertise.
Key Features of AI Builder
- Prebuilt AI models for quick automation
- Custom AI models to train on business-specific data
- Integration with Power Automate for seamless workflow automation
- Support for image recognition, text extraction, sentiment analysis, and more
Example: A retail company automates invoice processing by using AI Builder to extract data from scanned invoices and store it in a database.
2. How AI Builder Enhances Power Automate Workflows
A. Intelligent Document Processing
AI Builder can extract data from documents, forms, and invoices, reducing manual data entry.
How It Works
- Uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to extract text.
- Automates form processing to capture key fields.
- Integrates with Power Automate to store extracted data in SharePoint, Dataverse, or other platforms.
Example: A finance team automates invoice processing, reducing processing time by 70%.
B. AI-Powered Predictions for Smarter Decision-Making
AI Builder enables businesses to predict outcomes based on historical data, improving decision-making.
How It Works
- Uses predictive models to analyze past trends.
- Helps in demand forecasting, fraud detection, and risk assessment.
- Automates decision-making in Power Automate workflows.
Example: A sales team automates lead scoring, prioritizing high-value leads based on AI predictions.
C. Text Recognition and Sentiment Analysis
AI Builder can process text-based data, enabling businesses to extract key insights.
How It Works
- Text recognition extracts information from emails, PDFs, and scanned documents.
- Sentiment analysis determines customer sentiment from surveys and reviews.
- Language detection helps businesses understand multilingual feedback.
Example: A customer service team analyzes customer sentiment from emails and triggers automated responses based on feedback.
D. Image and Object Detection for Automated Workflows
AI Builder can analyze images and detect objects, enabling businesses to automate visual inspections and categorization.
How It Works
- Identifies objects, people, or defects in images.
- Automates workflows based on detected objects.
- Supports quality control in manufacturing, inventory management, and compliance checks.
🔹 Example: A manufacturing company automates defect detection in production lines, reducing errors and improving quality control.
E. Business Card Reader for CRM Integration
AI Builder can scan business cards and automatically save contact details to CRM systems.
How It Works
- Captures details like name, company, phone number, and email.
- Syncs data with Dynamics 365, Outlook, or SharePoint.
- Automates follow-ups in Power Automate.
Example: A sales team automates lead entry from business cards, saving time and improving CRM accuracy.
3. Real-World Use Cases of AI Builder in Power Automate
Healthcare Industry
Challenge: Manual processing of patient forms.
Solution: AI Builder automates data extraction from patient intake forms, reducing administrative workload.
Retail Industry
Challenge: Tracking product availability across multiple stores.
Solution: AI Builder detects stock levels from store images and updates inventory in real time.
Finance Industry
Challenge: Time-consuming invoice approvals.
Solution: AI Builder extracts invoice details and routes them for automated approvals.
4. The Future of AI in Power Automate Workflows
As AI technology advances, AI Builder will expand its capabilities to offer:
Upcoming Trends
Advanced AI models for more complex automation.
Deeper integration with Microsoft Copilot and AI-driven chatbots.
Better AI training capabilities for business-specific needs.
Increased automation of cognitive tasks like decision-making and document analysis.
Organizations that embrace AI-driven automation will stay ahead of competitors by improving efficiency and innovation.