Why Automations Architects Will Win in an AI World (and How I Am Learning to Think Like One)

I’ve been thinking about automations.

Why?

Because my experiences with free clients so far has pointed me in the direction of automation.

I’ve learned a few things so far based on my work with free clients:

• Many people don’t care about the “how” (the conceptual understanding)

• More care about results (i.e., “can you do this for me?”, “is there an easier way for me to do this?”

And I agree with them.

When I look at what I was offering a few months ago, it’s easy to see why automations makes more sense:

• They’re repeatable & scalable

• They are something you can “touch" & feel”

• They can be used by many more than the one client

Welp, here I am…

Missing the mark, I guess.

But wait!

We can change (omg who would’ve thought of that lol)!

So over the past few weeks, I’ve done the following:

• started learning more about no-code and automation tools

• started talking to other people working with automations and AI

• taking my documented workflows and turning them into automations

This week, I’d like to share what I’ve learned so far and why (it is already becoming clear to me) automations experts are poised to take over the world.

Results Over Everything

People don’t want to learn everything about integrating AI into content processes.

Many would rather have a solution (that works) brought to them which they can start using immediately.

This sentiment is echoed by Grant Husek, a digital operations expert.

He said in a recent podcast:

This highlights how automation is becoming a service that delivers tangible results for people.

Be an Architect. Not an Agent.

In this new world of AI and Automations, it’s important to not just be a single actor.

Position yourself as an architect rather than merely an agent.

An automation architect designs, builds, and manages AI-powered workflows that streamline processes and deliver results.

This role requires a unique combination of technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of business needs.

Prompt Orchestration

The podcast I mentioned earlier highlights the importance of prompt engineering and chaining in automation::

Your focus should be on breaking down complex tasks into specific, chainable prompts for AI tools.

You can create efficient, scalable solutions that cater to a wide range of clients and industries by mastering this skill.

Scalable Solutions

Automation workflows are a step beyond manual processes that one can learn.

It removes the need to hold all of the information in your head.

Instead, you can focus on your input and creative directions while letting the automations handle the nitty gritty tasks your processes entail.

Everyone Can Build. Not Everyone Can Think.

The ability to think critically and creatively is what sets automation architects apart.

Anyone can learn to use automation tools and build workflows.

But, not everyone has the strategic mindset required to design efficient, adaptable solutions.

The value of an automation architect lies in their ability to:

1. Understand complex business processes and identify areas for optimization

2. Break down tasks into specific, actionable steps that can be automated

3. Select the right tools and technologies to build scalable, flexible workflows

4. Continuously monitor and refine automations to ensure they deliver maximum value

You need to develop these critical thinking skills alongside your technical expertise.

If you do, you can position yourself as a strategic partner for organizations looking to leverage AI and automation.

Faster Time To Validation of Ideas

One of the most exciting aspects of the rise of AI and automation is how it's transforming the very process of innovation itself.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the realm of MVP (Minimum Viable Product) development.

Building an MVP used to take longer before these low-code/no-code tools with automations started coming up.

You could then spend weeks or even months coding, testing, and iterating on a basic version of the product.

But with the advent of no-code automation tools, this paradigm is being fundamentally disrupted.

Platforms like Airtable, Webflow, and Zapier are making it possible to create functional, even sophisticated MVPs in a matter of days or weeks, often without writing a single line of code.

By leveraging these tools, you can have a functional MVP up and running in a fraction of the time and cost it would have taken using traditional development methods.

This has huge implications for the innovation process.

Ideas can be tested and validated much more quickly, with far less risk and upfront investment.

Entrepreneurs can iterate more rapidly, gathering real-world feedback and adapting their products in near real-time.

This approach is democratizing innovation in a way we've never seen before—lowering the barriers to entry, allowing a wider range of people to participate in the creation of new products and services.

“Details, baby, details…”

You don’t need to know all of the nitty gritty details anymore.

All you need is a bit of creativity and a willingness to learn these new tools.

Anyone can become a "citizen developer," capable of building and launching their own digital products.

This doesn't mean that traditional coding skills are becoming obsolete—having domain expertise in this field will still have its advantages.

But no-code automation is proving to be a faster, more accessible path to MVP.

I'm not just focusing on the technical skills of automation.

I'm also thinking deeply about how these tools can be leveraged to enable faster, more accessible innovation.

I'm exploring the strategies and architectures that can turn an idea into a launchable product in record time.

The world is changing faster than ever.

The ability to validate and actualize ideas quickly is a necessity.

And it's a skill that I believe will be at the heart of the most successful businesses and careers of the future.

The Future of Work: Embracing AI Automation

The podcast also touches on the potential impact of AI automation on the workforce:

You have the opportunity to shape the future of work by helping organizations embrace AI and automation in a way that augments human capabilities rather than replacing them.

By designing workflows that automate repetitive, time-consuming tasks, you can free up employees to focus on higher-value activities that require creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking.

These reasons have convinced me that becoming an automations architect will have outsized rewards in the future.

So let me talk about how I’m becoming an automation architect (hint: you can follow along with this too)

My Journey To Becoming an Automation Architect

Learning the tools is one piece of the puzzle.

But to become an automation architect, I need to shift my mindset to one of continuous learning and reflection.

Learning No-Code Automation Tools

One of the first steps I’m taking is to familiarize myself with the tools out there like Airtable and Make.com.

These tools let you create powerful workflows and integration without needing to spend weeks coding up your own solution from scratch.

By exploring their capabilities and building some simple automatons to start, I was able to better understand how to break down complex processes into manageable, automated steps.

Studying The Experts

There’s a subtle nuance here.

We aren’t mindlessly copying experts.

We are watching them:

• What they’re interested in

• How they tackle problems

• What they find most important

I want to observe the thought patterns and problem-solving approaches of leading automation architects.

I'm gaining invaluable insights into the mindset required for success in this field.

I’m focused on internalizing the principles and frameworks they use to navigate complex challenges.

Their ability to distill intricate workflows into elegant, modular automations is a skill I'm actively cultivating.

Documenting My Own Workflows

In parallel to my tool exploration and expert analysis, I'm taking a magnifying glass to my own content creation processes.

Each step, from ideation to distribution, is being meticulously mapped and scrutinized for automation potential.

I'm asking myself questions like:

• Which tasks are repetitive and time-consuming?

• What data flows between different stages of the process?

• How can I modularize this workflow for maximum flexibility?

I’m identifying prime candidates for automation.

It’s also deepening my understanding of the underlying patterns and dependencies that shape content workflows.

This introspective exercise is proving invaluable in developing the systems thinking mindset central to automation architecture.

Experimenting and Iterating

Of course, the real learning happens in the doing.

With each new automation I build, whether for my own projects or for clients, I'm embarking on a cycle of experimentation and iterative refinement.

I'm learning to break down high-level goals into discrete, automatable steps.

I'm discovering how to select the right tools for each task, balancing power and simplicity.

And I'm continually optimizing my workflows based on real-world performance data.

Each iteration is an opportunity to:

• sharpen my skills

• streamline my processes

• deliver greater value to those I serve

It's a perpetual learning journey, one that I suspect will define my professional growth for years to come.

The Path Forward

I just started my world of AI-powered automations, and I'm already struck by the vast potential this field holds.

We have the opportunity to fundamentally reshape how businesses operate and how individuals spend their time by leveraging the efficiency and scalability of automated workflows.

But, technical expertise is not the only requirement for learning.

It will demand a new breed of thinkers—those who can bridge the gap between human ingenuity and machine intelligence.

Automation architects who can design systems that augment rather than replace, who can distill complex processes into elegant, adaptive solutions.

This is the future I'm working towards, one automation at a time.

It's a future where AI is not a threat but a partner, a force multiplier for human creativity and problem-solving.

Where repetitive toil gives way to meaningful, high-impact work.

I’m sure there will be challenges and learning curves, but I've never been more excited for what lies ahead.

Each new skill mastered, each new workflow optimized, I'm not just building automations - I'm helping to architect a new era of productivity and possibility.

So here's to the journey ahead, and to all the automations yet to be built. The future is ours to create - one no-code block at a time.

That’s all for now! ‘Til next time, much love and peace y’all 🤠