Appian Enhances Data Fabric for AI-Driven Economy

Appian, a leading low-code software platform, is advancing its capabilities in response to the growing demands of the AI-driven economy. This development is occurring against the backdrop of increasing adoption of low-code application development technologies, which are designed to accelerate software architecture and workflow process automation. These technologies have become particularly prevalent in modern IT systems, which are increasingly cloud-native in nature. As software platforms at this level take on the responsibility of working with data in a unified, secure, discoverable, and optimized manner, the arrival of generative Artificial Intelligence (gen-AI) has significantly amplified this need.

Appian’s approach to platform development is rooted in the concept of a data fabric, which it defines as an architecture layer and toolset that connects data across disparate systems, creating a unified view. This virtualized data layer eliminates the need for users to migrate data from its existing locations, whether in databases, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications, or other sources. This approach allows organizations to leverage their data, whether it resides on-premises, in the cloud, or across multiple cloud environments. Additionally, Appian describes the data fabric as a semantic layer that can be used to represent corporate data in a common dialect, enabling it to be communicated with as if it were all local, even when distributed.

Appian’s transformation from a low-code software platform to a holistic data-centric organization is evident in its current offerings. These include the Appian Data Fabric and ProcessHQ, which aim to provide unified information functions and process mining capabilities. These tools, which are part of Appian’s platform, are designed to not only offer insights into business operations but also to serve as the foundation for practical AI implementations. This shift in focus reflects Appian CEO Matt Calkins’ belief that AI should be used to enhance productivity rather than being viewed as an existential threat.

The latest version of the Appian Platform introduces ProcessHQ, a combination of process mining and generative AI unified with the Appian data fabric. This integration provides visibility into business operations, enabling data-driven decisions and process improvements. The platform’s AI capabilities, including Appian AI Copilot and the prompt builder AI skill, have been enhanced to provide users with greater control and efficiency in managing workflows. Overall, Appian’s efforts underscore the importance of data control and AI-human collaboration in driving business outcomes in the AI economy.