When it comes to business automation, Zapier stands out with over 2.2 million lifetime customers, according to its website. Its platform integrates workflows across more than 6,000 third-party workplace applications.
To simplify the automation process for existing and new customers, Zapier has launched Zapier Central, an “AI workspace” that enables users to create AI agents using only natural language—no coding necessary.
These AI “bots,” as Zapier refers to them, are tailored to incorporate users’ data and preferences. Users can describe their desired functions in text, and the AI bot will strive to fulfill those requests.
What sets Zapier Central apart from other tools, such as OpenAI’s custom GPT Builder, is its additional fields. Users can specify a “trigger” to initiate the bot’s actions, a “trigger phrase” to deploy the bot with a simple text command, and the specific “actions” the bot can perform, along with the connected apps and services it can access.
Early adopters are already sharing their experiences, including a post from tech investor and writer Ben Tossell.
Zapier co-founder Mike Knoop recently referred to the launch of Zapier Central as a “new era of AI Automation” in his communications on social media.
Additionally, Zapier announced an acqui-hire of the team behind Vowel, a now-defunct videoconferencing app. Andrew Berman, Vowel’s former CEO, will lead AI initiatives at Zapier as the new director of AI.
Zapier’s Senior Vice President of New Products and Head of Strategy, Sheryl Soo, highlighted the importance of this acquisition, stating, “The acquisition of Vowel enhances our AI capabilities and furthers our mission of democratizing AI and automation for businesses.”