What is Automated Intelligence?

• Blockchain Council
• March 12, 2025

Automated Intelligence (AI) are machines or systems that do tasks independently without human help. These systems make decisions on their own and adapt as they learn new things. They notice what’s happening around them, set goals, and even improve over time through learning.

Automated intelligence closely relates to something called “agentic AI.” Agentic AI refers to machines that independently chase their goals. They actively make decisions, plan ahead, and carry out actions over time. That gives these machines a sense of digital independence.

What Does Automated Intelligence Mean?

Automated intelligence happens when machines perform smart tasks without humans guiding each move. It mixes two concepts: automation and intelligence.

Automation is like programming your coffee maker to start brewing automatically at 7 a.m. Intelligence appears when that same machine learns your preferences. For example, it adjusts how strong your coffee is based on yesterday’s usage.

You might ask, “Isn’t this just artificial intelligence (AI)?” Not exactly. AI is broader—teaching machines to think similar to people. Automated intelligence is narrower, specifically about machines using AI to manage tasks smoothly, without constant human input. Think of robot vacuums avoiding obstacles or drones delivering packages by selecting the quickest route themselves. That’s automated intelligence at work.

Why should it matter to you? Today, automated intelligence is changing the way we live and work. It saves time, reduces costs, and leads to creative innovations. Let’s explore how it operates and check out some real-world examples.

How Does Automated Intelligence Work?

Automated intelligence requires three basic parts:

• Data collection: Machines gather information from their surroundings—like weather data or your buying habits.
• Algorithms: These are instructions that tell the system exactly what to do with this collected data.
• Hardware: Physical devices like computers, robots, or sensors run these instructions.

Here’s the exciting part: these systems also learn. They observe patterns, predict outcomes, and adjust their behavior. For example, imagine a thermostat noticing you always raise the temperature at night. Soon it automatically adjusts, no buttons required. That’s automated intelligence in action.

What are Some Applications of Automated Intelligence?

How is Automated Intelligence Used in Customer Support?

Automated intelligence handles customer questions independently. Salesforce introduced “Agentforce” in September 2024. This AI system answers more than 340,000 customer queries without human assistance. It streamlines tasks in sales, marketing, and customer service.

How is Automated Intelligence Changing Business Operations?

Automated intelligence makes routine business tasks easier. A good example is Manus, which independently analyzes financial transactions. It even screens job applicants without needing human intervention.

How Does Automated Intelligence Improve Cybersecurity?

Automated intelligence can detect cyber threats instantly. It notices patterns, identifies security risks, and immediately acts to protect systems without waiting for human instructions.

Can Automated Intelligence Support Business Decisions?

Automated intelligence helps businesses make better decisions by analyzing data. It reviews large amounts of information, spots trends, and finds unusual activities. This helps companies plan strategies more effectively.

What are Recent Developments in Automated Intelligence?

What is Manus, the AI Agent?

On March 6, 2025, a new AI agent named Manus was introduced. Manus independently thinks, plans, and decides. It performs tasks like financial analysis and applicant screening without human guidance. Manus represents a big step forward for automated intelligence.

How is McDonald’s Using Automated Intelligence?

McDonald’s is rolling out automated intelligence in its 43,000 locations. This upgrade improves service speed and boosts customer satisfaction. Changes include smart kitchen devices, AI-driven drive-through ordering, and tools to help managers predict maintenance needs.

How is Automated Intelligence Improving News Accessibility?

Hearst Newspapers recently introduced audio stories on their websites. This new audio feature uses Everlit’s advanced speech technology. Readers can now listen to news articles while commuting or multitasking. Automated intelligence makes accessing content easier and more convenient.

How is Automated Intelligence Different from Artificial Intelligence?

Are automated intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI) the same? People often confuse them, but here’s the difference clearly explained:

AI is the broad concept of making machines think like humans. It includes things like chatbots and self-driving cars. Automated intelligence is narrower, specifically dealing with performing smart tasks independently.

Think of AI as a brain: it learns, reasons, and even creates new things. Automated intelligence, however, is more like the hands. It takes that brainpower and applies it practically to specific tasks.

For example, AI might design a new type of drone. Automated intelligence then guides that drone directly to your doorstep. According to a March 2025 update, Microsoft is building AI models that can reason like humans. Meanwhile, automated intelligence is already active in Amazon drones delivering products.

Simply put, AI is the thinker, and automated intelligence is the action-taker.

What are the Challenges with Automated Intelligence?

Is Automated Intelligence Reliable and Affordable?

Running automated intelligence systems often requires expensive computing resources. High operational costs can become an issue. Additionally, these systems may struggle with tasks involving multiple complex steps. Reliability can sometimes be a concern.

Are There Ethical and Regulatory Issues?

Since automated intelligence operates independently, there are ethical concerns. For instance, who is responsible if something goes wrong? Regulations are now evolving to address these questions. Authorities aim to guide the safe and responsible use of automated intelligence.

How Can Companies Integrate Automated Intelligence with Workers?

Automated intelligence is growing quickly, causing challenges in workplaces. Companies are now training employees to collaborate effectively with automated intelligence systems. This training ensures humans stay in control and continue giving valuable feedback, improving the AI.

Conclusion

Automated intelligence is a huge step forward in technology. It allows systems to operate independently, learning from data, and adapting quickly. Businesses across many industries use automated intelligence for greater efficiency and innovation.

Still, challenges remain. Reliability, ethical concerns, and human integration require attention. By overcoming these issues, automated intelligence can reach its full potential, benefiting everyone.