TL;DR:
- Appian unveils expanded strategy and roadmap for generative AI in the Appian Platform.
- Focus on democratizing AI access to boost productivity gains for developers.
- Emphasis on secure and reliable private AI to protect customer data.
- Introduction of Appian AI Copilot and intuitive low-code AI capabilities.
- Integration of OpenAI/ChatGPT and training on Appian’s SAIL expression language.
- Launch of Appian AI Skill Designer for custom AI machine learning models.
- Introduction of AI plug-ins: Appian Azure OpenAI Connected System and Appian Pinecone Connected System.
- Future developments include the instant generation of digitized forms, self-service analytics, AI-generated workflows, and AI-enabled out-of-the-box solutions.
Main AI News:
Appian, a leader in process automation, is taking a significant leap forward with its expanded strategy and roadmap for generative AI within the Appian Platform. The company’s mission is to democratize access to AI technology, unlocking unparalleled productivity gains for developers. Central to Appian’s strategy is the delivery of secure and reliable private AI, safeguarding customers’ valuable data.
“Appian’s practical approach to incorporating AI delivers tangible value to our customers,” stated Michael Beckley, the visionary CTO and Founder of Appian. He further emphasized their commitment by saying, “Our vision comes to life through the Appian AI Copilot, leveraging generative AI to expedite low-code development, supported by a suite of intuitive, low-code AI capabilities.”
Appian recently made headlines with its integration of OpenAI/ChatGPT, bringing the power of low-code development and ChatGPT’s training on Appian’s declarative SAIL expression language. Furthermore, Appian introduced the Appian AI Skill Designer, providing organizations with a straightforward yet potent means to create custom AI machine learning models without compromising their sensitive data through public AI platforms.
In a groundbreaking move, Appian has unveiled two new AI plug-ins now available on the Appian AppMarket:
- Appian Azure OpenAI Connected System: Empowering customers with the freedom to utilize cutting-edge generative AI in their business processes, this low-code connector seamlessly integrates with Azure’s OpenAI Service, combining the best of generative AI with enterprise-grade data security governance.
- Appian Pinecone Connected System: Leveraging the new low-code integration to Pinecone’s vector database, users can now query their Appian document knowledge base and obtain intelligent results based on the semantic meaning of their inquiries. This integration, when combined with OpenAI, enables users to engage in contextual conversations with their private data, receiving relevant information from generative AI.
Appian’s expanded AI roadmap is built upon a robust AI architecture that delivers tangible business value. Key architectural components, such as the patented SAIL and Data Fabric, alongside the AI Skill Designer for building private AI services, enable effortless utilization of AI across end-to-end process automation.
Exciting developments are on the horizon as Appian prepares to launch innovative generative AI capabilities in upcoming releases, including:
- Instant generation of digitized forms from PDFs through AI document understanding: By leveraging large language models (LLM), combined with AI training of the SAIL architecture and document understanding capabilities, Appian is developing a groundbreaking generative AI feature that enables instant comprehension and creation of new applications from existing PDF documents.
- Self-service analytics through AI-powered natural language queries of the Appian Data Fabric: Building upon the remarkable adoption of the Data Fabric, with 94% of new Appian customers embracing this revolutionary tool, Appian is now combining it with generative AI and natural language understanding. The result is a transformative capability for self-service analytics, empowering every user to unearth invaluable insights from the Appian Data Fabric and enhance business operations.
- AI-generated workflows assembled on-the-fly based on natural language prompts: Appian is training large language models (LLM) and AI to comprehend the fundamental nature of workflow and process patterns, enabling the creation of AI-generated workflows through natural language prompts. This breakthrough paves the way for seamless human-machine collaboration, breaking down barriers and driving efficiency.
- AI-enabled out-of-the-box solutions: Appian has already introduced AI-generated RFI creation in its Government Acquisition suite and Case Management suite of solutions. Moving forward, Appian will continue to infuse AI capabilities into both new and existing solutions, enhancing their functionality and value.
According to Michael Beckley, “Appian firmly believes that low-code and AI are a match made in heaven.” He emphasizes this union’s natural advantages through Appian’s AI Copilot, which offers suggestions within low-code design tools. This symbiotic relationship ensures that AI-driven application designs can be easily understood and refined by humans, thanks to an intuitive and visual design environment provided by low-code.
Looking ahead, Appian is excited to release expanded generative AI features in the Appian 23.3 version, scheduled for August 2023. The company remains committed to investing in these AI capabilities, with new features and enhancements set to be unveiled regularly through their quarterly release cadence in 2023 and beyond. AI is the cornerstone of Appian’s product management philosophy, driving continuous innovation and delivering ongoing value to its esteemed customers.
Conclusion:
Appian’s comprehensive AI strategy and expanded roadmap have significant implications for the market. By democratizing AI access and empowering developers with secure and reliable private AI capabilities, Appian is poised to unlock unprecedented productivity gains. The integration of OpenAI/ChatGPT and the introduction of the Appian AI Skill Designer showcase Appian’s commitment to driving innovation.
With their upcoming generative AI features, Appian is set to revolutionize digitized form generation, self-service analytics, workflow automation, and out-of-the-box AI solutions. This strategic focus on AI positions Appian as a frontrunner in the market, enabling organizations to harness the power of AI and drive continuous improvement in their business operations.
