The Evolution of Intelligent Automation as a Sourcing Option

This chapter looks at the evolution of automationAutomation evolution as a service option and is based on a much revised and updated interview conducted by Gabe Piccoli, then MIS Quarterly Executive Editor in Chief. He initially asked Mary Lacity and Leslie Willcocks to discuss their six-year research program, with the goal of consolidating what is known about Robotic Process AutomationRobotic process automation (RPA) and Cognitive AutomationCognitive automation (CA) which, in combination are often today called Intelligent AutomationIntelligent automation (IA) and even included as Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence (AI) (AI). The chapter has been extended to cover also the 2021–2023 period to take into account more recent consolidating research.