Glossary
What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?
Last updated July 2026
Definition
Robotic process automation (RPA) automates repetitive, rule-based tasks by following a fixed script. Unlike agentic AI, it does not decide or adapt — it repeats.
Also known as: RPA
RPA is excellent for stable, well-defined steps, but it breaks when reality diverges from the rules. Agentic AI is the successor for decisions that require judgment and adaptation.
In operations, the practical distinction is initiative: RPA executes a predefined path; agentic AI chooses the path toward an outcome.
Part of Agentic AI for operations.
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