Incantations 85 - Zapier AI

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Hello there, [NICKNAME GOES HERE],

Last week I mostly covered IFTTT and AI. I pushed the benefits of IFTTT largely because of cost and it's a great starting point for using AI in automation and automation in general. Especially in comparison to Zapier. But that doesn't mean we should dismiss Zapier and in fact depending on what you want to do it may be close to the only or better option.

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Zapier and IFTTT Recap

A reminder and for new subscribers of what Zapier and IFTTT (If This, Then That), they are two powerful automation platforms that enable users to streamline and automate tasks across various applications and services. Zapier, a more business-focused tool, allows you to create complex, multi-step workflows, known as 'Zaps', that connect different applications, thereby automating repetitive tasks without the need for manual input.

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AI-Enhanced Automation & Troubleshooting

Zapier now uses AI to interpret natural language instructions for creating “Zaps”, or automated workflows, making the automation process more accessible to non-technical users. Moreover, it can convert a sentence into code, allowing users to customize workflows without manual coding. Additionally, the AI assistant provides detailed, step-by-step guidance to troubleshoot any issues with Zaps.

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Extended Capabilities & Integration

Zapier has leveraged AI to create custom chatbots and make intelligent recommendations using AI-powered fields. The chatbots can answer customer queries and translate complex language, while AI-powered fields generate relevant information, aiding decision-making processes. The partnership with OpenAI allows the integration of AI actions into Zapier’s workflows, including access to OpenAI’s endpoints. Users can also automate tasks directly within the ChatGPT interface.

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Natural Language Actions & Partnerships

Zapier’s 30K+ app actions can now be controlled with simple natural language, providing a more intuitive way to manage data movement between apps. This enhancement is made possible by Zapier’s partnerships with several AI-focused companies, including ChatGPT, Humanloop, Synthesia, and others.

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Showcasing AI Use Cases

Zapier presents numerous AI use-cases to demonstrate the transformative potential of AI in workflow automation, such as leveraging GPT-3 for drafting business emails, creating AI-powered meeting summaries, and developing AI digital assistants. Users interested in experiencing these AI-powered capabilities can sign up for Zapier’s AI beta features.

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Potential Future Features

Looking ahead, Zapier could further expand its AI capabilities to offer more sophisticated automation solutions. We might see features like predictive automation, where the AI learns from a user’s habits and auto-creates relevant workflows. There might also be advances in the natural language capabilities, enabling users to instruct Zapier in a conversational style, as if speaking to a human assistant. Furthermore, the introduction of more AI-trained chatbots for specialized tasks or industries could be on the horizon. Another potential feature could be AI-assisted decision-making, where Zapier’s AI uses the data from the integrated apps to suggest the best actions or decisions. As AI technology continues to evolve rapidly, the possibilities for its integration into automation services like Zapier are practically limitless.

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Until next week,

Andrew

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