VENDORiQ: Zap! Citizen Developers to Gain No-Code Superpowers With AI

Why it’s Important

Zapier’s latest move to enhance its plan and introduce Zapier Central is noteworthy, particularly as organisations increasingly adopt AI-driven automation. AI’s integration into workflows can simplify complex processes and allow non- or semi-technical staff to digitise processes far more quickly and with higher quality than non-AI-enabled tools. Zapier Central’s ability to combine conversational AI (similar to GPTs) with automation capabilities enables more dynamic and responsive business operations.  

Newer competitive services such as Make.com, and more extensive low-code platforms such as Microsoft Power Platform and Nintex are all moving towards AI-driven low-code user experiences. Fusing low-code workflow, integration, and robotic process automation (RPA) with AI is a significant development. Low-code platforms that can create, infuse, and call AI services are projected to shape the future of automation. 

In the past, less than 5 per cent of staff in organisations where low-code tools are generally available actually engaged in developing automation. With AI, this number will rise slowly over time. More significantly, the number and complexity of automation produced by this small cohort of ‘citizen developers’ will skyrocket. Based on early observations, IBRS predicts citizen developers will produce six times the number of automations annually with AI-powered low-code tools, compared to those non-AI tools.

However, ICT groups need to be involved in the deployment, use and monitoring of such tools. With ‘out of the box’ integration with literally thousands of apps and in some cases, the ability to automate activities on devices, there are data governance risks to be managed.

The global low-code development platform market is booming, expected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2020 to $45.5 billion by 2025, marking a CAGR of 28.1 per cent. This underlines the market’s readiness for products like Zapier Central, which simplifies the deployment of AI in business processes, making advanced technology accessible to smaller enterprises and non-technical users.

Who is Impacted?

• Automation developers: Professionals responsible for designing and managing automated workflows.
• General staff: As the ease of use and potential of AI-powered low-code becomes apparent, and as AI agents become common, more staff will begin to look to automate their daily work tasks. Digital literacy and security and risk training is essential.
• IT and system integrators: Teams overseeing the integration of various software tools and platforms within an organisation’s ecosystem.

What’s Next?

• Evaluate current automation needs: Assess the current automation processes within your organisation and identify potential areas of improvement.
• Monitor the AI evolution of consumer-level and enterprise-grand workflow and integration tools: Conduct trials and proof of concepts that involve keen ‘citizen developers.’.
• Training and skill development: Invest in training for teams to maximise the use of no-code and low-code tools and AI-powered workflows.

Related IBRS Advisory

• Embracing Dual Low-Code Application Platforms for Citizen and Pro Developers
• Supercharge Your Digital Transformation with a Low-Code Centre of Excellence – Presentation Kit
• Holistic Low-Code Ecosystem Digital Fabric with AI