Robots aren’t able to do all of our chores — yet — but artificial intelligence and robotics are changing how people work in a transformative way.
At the forefront of this revolution is UiPath. The company’s tech team is building robotic process automation tools to iron out tedious and repetitive work and create more opportunities for people to do what they love.
We asked three tech team members at UiPath to peer into their crystal ball to learn more about their work and the role robotics can play in the workforce. And don’t worry dear reader — robots did not write this story.
FOUNDED: 2005
EMPLOYEES: 2,400 (82 local)
WHAT THEY DO: UiPath makes robotic process automation software, which allows people to automate the tedious parts of their work and become more thoughtful and strategic.
WHERE THEY DO IT: Bellevue
ROMANIAN UNICORN: UiPath is the first unicorn startup from Romania.
OPEN SOURCE: UiPath offers a free version of its platform that’s available to anyone, along with access to a free academy where people can learn how to use it.
Param Kahlon, Chief Product Officer
Like a head chef, Param helps his team cook up robotic process automation products to eliminate repetitive work tasks, and then he ensures they deliver it to the customer’s table on time.
BEYOND WORK: Param goes the extra mile outside the office. He enjoys running and competes in several half marathons a year.
How did your experience at Microsoft shape your perspective as a product leader at UiPath?
I saw firsthand that enterprise business applications are very sticky. They help companies execute mission-critical business processes, and once they find an application that works, it can’t be touched. That was critical in understanding how UiPath can add value with digital transformation. We can bridge the gap by creating automation that allows companies to transform their processes without having to rip and replace these systems.
How is your team working to evolve UiPath’s product?
One of the things we’ve learned from our customers is that they want to apply more AI and machine learning to transform processes like customer service and finance. Our AI has always had computer vision — which is the ability to understand what’s on the screen or in a document — but we’re investing heavily in AI to take those experiences to the next level. We’re looking at how we can drive automation to decision-making in a business process or create experiences that support a conversational application experience.
We can bridge the gap by creating automation that allows companies to transform their processes without having to rip and replace these systems.”
Where do you see UiPath’s product in the next year?
We see UiPath’s product evolving significantly over the next six-to-12 months. Our biggest innovations will happen around AI. We’re looking at how we can bring even more automation to business processes, including creating conversational experiences. We want to make it so that you can actually ask questions and have a natural language processing and generation experience with business applications.
Business analysts today create automation using our tool, not developers. Our goal is that those same business analysts will use our tools to create AI models that can also look at past data to make future predictions and algorithms.
Dhruv Asher, SVP for Alliances & Business Development
Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and Dhruv and his team see to it that UiPath develops technology partnerships — including Microsoft, IBM, Google, and other AI technology companies — to drive new ideas that bring revenue.
MERRY PRANKSTER: Keep an eye on Dhruv in the office — he has earned a reputation as a prankster. Junior or senior, it doesn’t matter to him. All he wants to know is: “Are they an easy target?”
What kinds of opportunities for growth do you see for your team at UiPath?
I always ask my team if they’re having fun and are growing in their careers. If they’re bored, then I want to change that quickly. I want them to wake up in the morning and feel like they’re able to have an impact. Growth, empowerment and learning are all part of my team’s culture.
Our company is still a teenager, as our CEO Daniel Dines likes to say. There are things we’re going to learn to do better. We’re not experts, but we’re really good at problem-solving. If you can solve problems together, you can continue to raise the bar. If you keep raising the bar, you’ll get a better product, a better contract and a better integration. It comes down to getting better every single day, and that’s the opportunity that UiPath gives you.
Our culture allows for people to raise their hand and say, ‘I’m uncomfortable. I don’t know, but I think you can help me and I will learn.’”
Being outside of your comfort zone is a theme for you at UiPath. Why is that important?
It’s about growth. You get extraordinary results from folks who are outside of their comfort zone. I tell my team that you’re not going to know everything, and if you do, then it’s time to move outside of your comfort zone. Being uncomfortable or not knowing something creates an opportunity to learn. What I’ve seen in my nine months at UiPath is that everybody is willing to help somebody. Our culture allows for people to raise their hand and say, “I’m uncomfortable. I don’t know, but I think you can help me and I will learn.’”
Where do you see UiPath and AI in the future?
The world of AI and automation is changing. Twenty years ago, we were still learning how to use the internet. In many ways, what UiPath does is identify which technologies are repetitive and which ones we should be spending time on instead. We should be spending time on things like augmented reality, virtual reality and IoT, that allow us to be better human beings. That’s what UiPath will contribute just by being ahead of the technology curve.
Anton McGonnell, Director of Product Management, Machine Learning
Anton owns the delivery of all elements of the machine learning platform. He works with engineers and architects on technical design, assesses market opportunity and pricing strategy, and works closely with his boss on the vision of the AI product roadmap.
BEYOND WORK: Though Seattle is more than 4,000 miles away from his last home in Ireland, Anton hasn’t had any trouble finding a thriving community to play soccer and Gaelic football.
What opportunities does your team have to shape UiPath’s product?
We’re the people who come up with what product and features that get built, which is the best part of the job. When I came to UiPath, we had our core platform, and we also had so many greenfield opportunities to build complementary capabilities. We are just scratching the surface. Now, I’m leading the vision and execution of an entirely new product, which is incredibly exciting.
Empowerment is a recurring theme at UiPath. In what ways do you feel like you can own a project from start to finish?
At UiPath, you are given a lot of responsibility. When I joined, we were still defining our AI vision for the company. As this roadmap has evolved, I’ve been tasked with a high-impact product and had to find a way to make it happen. Fortunately, I’ve had the benefit of being surrounded by great people with different areas of expertise. So, even though I have been empowered to own something big, I’ve never felt alone.
I’m proud that UiPath is putting such an emphasis on teaching automation skills across the globe.”
What role do you see UiPath playing in helping automation achieve large scale productivity?
The digital transformation is well underway, but data and software are still in different places and comply with different standards and frameworks. UiPath provides a general platform that can handle all data types and deal with all software. As everything becomes digitized, everything will be automatable with robotic process automation.
It will result in huge productivity gains, but it will also affect jobs in many roles and sectors. UiPath needs to play a role in ensuring that these people aren’t displaced, but instead are able to focus on higher value cognitive tasks. I’m proud that UiPath is putting such an emphasis on teaching automation skills across the globe.
