By CGTN’s Sumitra Nydoo

Robotics Process Automation (RPA) has advanced rapidly over the last two years, and is becoming a focal point globally for companies looking to improve their efficiency and accuracy. South Africa has been a keen follower of the new technology.

RPA can reduce business operation costs by as much as 65% according to studies, without changing its existing systems. Based on the concept of "software robots" rather than physical robotic machines, RPA incorporates AI technology to complete tasks such as data input, which previously required human operators. Not only does it capture and interpret existing data, but also creates virtual workforces, removing mundane tasks.

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The use of RPA in South Africa is still brand new. But such local financial service industries like major banks, have started to adopt RPA. That's because “it's cheap, fast and incredibly compliant, so it works extremely well in a highly regulated industry", according to Steve Burke, the executive manager of local consultancy company DigiBlue.

However, some analysts have also mentioned the importance of understanding “how RPA actually works” before using it. 

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"For my side, I interface with the developers. What is it that it needs to trigger a certain process, to trigger a certain point in a robot, what is it that in the data should be there or shouldn't be there,” said Amanda Mbekeni, a business analyst.

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According to a report by McKinsey, RPA can help businesses improve performance by reducing errors and improving quality and speed, raising productivity growth globally. The McKinsey report also revealed that up to 140 million full time workers could be replaced by automation by 2025.

"I think the impact will be profound. And that's going to happen anyway. People are referring to this as the fourth industrial revolution. I think the lesson from history is that technological advance is inevitable and it's not even the case of the robots coming, the robots are here," Burke said.

No doubt there will be a massive change in the labor force, but with the need to raise the bottom line and remain competitive, it's inevitable that new technology will take precedence.