* forecast
The source defines the three categories as follows:
"RPA Definition: RPA describes a software development toolkit that allows non-engineers to quickly create software robots (known commonly as "bots") to automate rules-driven business processes... Intelligent Process Automation Definition: Intelligent Process Automation (IPA) is the use of technology to allow a business function or part of the operation of a process workflow work automatically... AI Definition: AI refers to the simulation of human thought processes across enterprise operations, where the system makes autonomous decisions, using high-level policies, constantly monitoring and optimizing its performance and automatically adapting itself to changing conditions and evolving business rules and dynamics."
Citation formats
Artificial intelligence and process automation spending worldwide 2016-2021
The statistic shows a forecast of spending on robotic process, intelligent process, and artificial intelligence automation worldwide, from 2016 to 2021. In 2017, expenditure on AI and process automation is expected to reach *** billion U.S. dollars globally. In this sense, artificial intelligence is autonomous decision-making by a system or systems designed to simulate human thought processes. The process involves self-learning systems improved through data mining, pattern recognition, and natural language processing.
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HFS Research. (November 4, 2017). Total automation and artificial intelligence (AI) operations expenditure worldwide from 2016 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from /statistics/740422/worldwide-robotic-process-automation-artificial-intelligence-market/
HFS Research. "Total automation and artificial intelligence (AI) operations expenditure worldwide from 2016 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars)." Chart. November 4, 2017. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 20, 2026. /statistics/740422/worldwide-robotic-process-automation-artificial-intelligence-market/
HFS Research. (2017). Total automation and artificial intelligence (AI) operations expenditure worldwide from 2016 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 20, 2026. /statistics/740422/worldwide-robotic-process-automation-artificial-intelligence-market/
HFS Research. "Total Automation and Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Operations Expenditure Worldwide from 2016 to 2021 (in Billion U.S. Dollars)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 4 Nov 2017, /statistics/740422/worldwide-robotic-process-automation-artificial-intelligence-market/
HFS Research, Total automation and artificial intelligence (AI) operations expenditure worldwide from 2016 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/740422/worldwide-robotic-process-automation-artificial-intelligence-market/ (last visited July 20, 2026)
Total automation and artificial intelligence (AI) operations expenditure worldwide from 2016 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars) [Graph], HFS Research, November 4, 2017. [Online]. Available: /statistics/740422/worldwide-robotic-process-automation-artificial-intelligence-market/
