Hyperautomation: The foundation for agentic AI in autonomous enterprises

The future of business isn't just automated, it's autonomous. At KPMG in Belgium, we see a clear trajectory where the strategic application of hyperautomation today is actively laying the groundwork for the transformative power of agentic AI and the emergence of the truly autonomous enterprise.  While many organizations are focused on automating tasks, the true competitive advantage lies in building an enterprise that can operate, adapt, and innovate on its own. This is the promise of agentic AI, and it's closer than you think. 

At KPMG we’re able to achieve value with agentic AI right now, thanks to the solid foundation from the hyperautomation toolbox, mindset, and governance we have already installed for our clients and our own organization. 

For years, businesses have leveraged Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to streamline repetitive, rule-based tasks. This evolved into "intelligent automation" with the integration of AI capabilities like Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP), enabling systems to handle more complex scenarios and unstructured data. However, these still largely operated within predefined boundaries, requiring human oversight for exceptions and continuous training.

Enter Hyperautomation. Coined by Gartner a few years ago, but ever more relevant and powerful thanks to the revolution that LLM’s and AI-powered functions are bringing to the hyperautomation toolbox.

Hyperautomation is about orchestrating a blend of advanced technologies – RPA, AI, ML, process mining, intelligent document processing, and more – to automate entire end-to-end business processes.

It's about looking at the bigger picture, connecting disparate systems, and driving data-driven intelligence across the enterprise. This holistic approach is crucial, as it builds the interconnected, intelligent infrastructure that agentic AI thrives on.

Now, we stand at the cusp of agentic AI. Unlike traditional AI that simply processes inputs, agentic AI systems are designed to perceive their environment, set goals, plan, execute actions autonomously, and continuously learn and adapt. They move beyond automating tasks or even processes; they automate outcomes. Imagine AI agents autonomously managing supply chains, optimizing customer interactions, or even designing new products, all while learning from real-time data and making independent decisions. This is the promise of the autonomous  enterprise, where systems work together with minimal human intervention to achieve strategic objectives.

The journey to agentic AI and the autonomous enterprise is not a leap but a carefully planned ascent. Hyperautomation provides the critical foundation for several reasons:

1. Process understanding and optimization: Before you can empower AI agents to act autonomously, you need a deep understanding of your existing processes. Hyperautomation initiatives, often driven by process mining, force organizations to map, analyze, and optimize workflows. This clarity is invaluable for designing effective AI agents and ensuring their actions align with business objectives.
2. Data readiness and integration: Agentic AI is only as good as the data it consumes. Hyperautomation compels organizations to address data silos, improve data quality, and establish robust data pipelines. This consistent, high-quality data fabric is non-negotiable for AI agents to make informed decisions and learn effectively.
3. Scalability and orchestration: Hyperautomation platforms provide the tools and frameworks for orchestrating complex workflows across multiple systems. This inherent capability for seamless integration and scalable deployment is precisely what agentic AI requires to operate effectively across the enterprise, enabling agents to collaborate and execute multi-step interventions.
4. Mindset shift: Embracing hyperautomation requires a significant cultural shift – a move towards a mindset of continuous improvement, automation-first thinking, and a willingness to rethink how work is done. This forward-looking perspective is crucial for preparing your workforce and leadership for the even more profound changes that agentic AI will bring.

This article has hopefully given you a better picture of hyperautomation. Perhaps you are already using some automation tools in your organization, maybe even running end-to-end automation. Yet, the anticipated return on your investments either has not materialized or is not at the level you expected. The key thing to remember here is that hyperautomation is not only about the technology involved. Important components like strong governance and effective change management are essential to success.

Moreover, a truly efficient approach to hyperautomation should be customized based on your specific organizational needs, rather than implementing a one-size-fits-all solution. This might raise questions such as where to begin and how to uncover opportunities within your organization. 

We invite you to schedule a value discovery workshop with our experts. During this interactive session, we will:

• Explore your current automation landscape and strategic objectives.
• Identify high-value use cases for hyperautomation and potential applications for agentic AI.
• Discuss the critical considerations for trusted AI and operating model implications.

As an output of this workshop, you will receive a customized maturity assessment, providing a clear roadmap and actionable recommendations for your journey towards an autonomous future. Our approach is pragmatic and interactive and could be done at any pace, size, or scope that would fit your organization.

Don't wait for the future to arrive. Contact KPMG in Belgium to start building it today.