robotic desktop automation (RDA)
What It Means
Robotic Desktop Automation (RDA) is software that sits on individual employee computers and helps them complete repetitive tasks by automating clicks, data entry, and navigation across multiple applications. Unlike fully automated systems, RDA requires human supervision and control - employees trigger the automation and oversee its execution. It's essentially a digital assistant that handles the mundane parts of workflows while keeping humans in the driver's seat.
Why Chief AI Officers Care
RDA provides immediate productivity gains without the complexity and risk of full process automation, making it an ideal entry point for organizations beginning their automation journey. It allows CAIOs to demonstrate quick wins and ROI while maintaining human oversight for compliance and quality control. RDA also generates valuable data about work patterns and process inefficiencies that can inform broader AI strategy decisions.
Real-World Example
A loan officer uses RDA to automatically pull customer credit scores from three different systems, populate standard fields in loan application forms, and generate preliminary risk assessments - but the officer still reviews all information, makes the final credit decision, and approves the loan. The RDA cuts processing time from 45 minutes to 15 minutes while keeping the human expert in control of critical decisions.
Common Confusion
People often confuse RDA with Robotic Process Automation (RPA), but the key difference is human involvement - RDA assists employees at their desktops while they work, whereas RPA runs independently without human intervention. RDA is 'automation with training wheels' compared to RPA's fully autonomous operation.
Industry-Specific Applications
See how this term applies to healthcare, finance, manufacturing, government, tech, and insurance.
Healthcare: In healthcare, RDA assists clinical and administrative staff by automating routine computer tasks like patient data entr...
Finance: In finance, RDA streamlines high-volume, rules-based processes like invoice processing, account reconciliations, and reg...
Premium content locked
Includes:
- 6 industry-specific applications
- Relevant regulations by sector
- Real compliance scenarios
- Implementation guidance
Technical Definitions
NISTNational Institute of Standards and Technology
"The computer application that makes available to a human operator a suite of predefined activity choreography to complete the execution of processes, activities, transactions, and tasks in one or more unrelated software systems to deliver a result or service in the course of human-initiated or -managed workflow."Source: IEEE_Guide_IPA
Discuss This Term with Your AI Assistant
Ask how "robotic desktop automation (RDA)" applies to your specific use case and regulatory context.
Start Free Trial