Using AI to Automate Repetitive Work: A Real-World Example

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the way professionals approach work. Whether you’re a developer, marketer, or business owner, AI can help automate mundane, repetitive tasks freeing you to focus on more strategic efforts. In this article, we’ll walk through a real-world example of how AI helped build a Chrome extension that automates project management tasks, making work more efficient and productive.

Can AI Automate Repetitive Tasks?

The short answer is: yes and it already is. AI is transforming industries by automating manual, repetitive tasks that once required significant human effort. From data entry and email filtering to customer service and marketing automation, AI tools are revolutionizing workflows.

A report from Cobb AI highlights how AI-powered automation is reshaping industries by eliminating repetitive tasks across sectors. From marketing to development, AI-driven tools are increasing efficiency, improving accuracy, and allowing teams to focus on innovation rather than manual work. By integrating AI solutions, businesses can save countless hours on time-consuming processes.

How Do You Automate Repetitive Tasks?

Automation isn’t just about AI; it’s about using the right tools in the right way. Here are three key steps to automating repetitive tasks:

1. Identify the Repetitive Process Analyze your workflow and pinpoint tasks that require repetitive actions, such as data processing, email responses, or scheduling.
2. Choose the Right Automation Tool Depending on your industry, tools like AI-powered chatbots, workflow automation platforms, and browser extensions (like the one we built) can eliminate manual work.
3. Implement and Optimize Start small, test the automation, and refine it over time to ensure maximum efficiency.

Case Study: Automating Task Dependencies in Teamwork

One of the best ways to illustrate AI’s impact is with a real-world use case. Teamwork is a project management tool used by teams to track and manage work efficiently. However, setting up task dependencies manually in Teamwork can be tedious especially when a project has many subtasks.

To solve this, we built a Chrome extension that:

• Automatically detects the task ID from a Teamwork task page.
• Loops through all subtasks and applies dependencies in the correct order.
• Provides an easy-to-use UI for managing dependencies and removing them if needed.
• Saves time and reduces human error in project management.

How AI Accelerated the Development

Instead of manually coding every piece of functionality from scratch, AI was leveraged to:

• Generate the initial Chrome extension structure.
• Write JavaScript for handling API calls to Teamwork.
• Debug errors and refine logic to ensure dependencies are set correctly.
• Optimize the extension to remove unnecessary manual work.

How the AI-Powered Chrome Extension Works

This AI-assisted Chrome extension streamlines workflow automation by integrating with Teamwork’s API to manage subtask dependencies. At a high level, it:

• Detects the task ID dynamically from a Teamwork URL.
• Retrieves and organizes subtasks in the correct order.
• Automates the process of linking dependencies between subtasks.
• Allows users to remove dependencies with a single click, reducing unnecessary manual updates.

This solution significantly reduces the amount of time spent on repetitive project management tasks, making the process seamless and error-free.

The Impact: Time Saved & Efficiency Gained

Before implementing this solution, manually updating dependencies in Teamwork could take several minutes per task, which added up significantly over time. With the Chrome extension, this process is now fully automated, requiring just one click.

What This Means for You

The power of AI goes beyond coding this approach can be applied to marketing, operations, and business processes to:

• Reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks.
• Minimize manual errors.
• Free up time for more strategic and creative work—or simply enjoy that well-earned coffee break!

How Are You Using AI to Be More Efficient?

While AI is a great tool for automating tasks, not every project is an ideal candidate for AI automation. Some projects require human intuition, creativity, and deep contextual understanding that AI simply can’t replicate.

Good AI Automation Candidates:

• Repetitive tasks like data processing, formatting, and organization.
• API-driven workflows, like setting up dependencies in project management tools.
• Generating template-based code or automating simple scripts.
• Scheduling, notifications, and automated reporting.

Projects That Require Human Expertise:

• Complex problem-solving requiring deep industry knowledge.
• Highly creative or strategic work, such as brand storytelling or UX design.
• Custom web development requiring security considerations.
• Any task where nuances, ethics, or human judgment play a crucial role.

This Chrome extension was a great use case for AI because it was a structured, repetitive task that followed a predictable pattern. AI helped speed up development and remove manual inefficiencies without compromising quality. However, for projects requiring more abstract thinking and creativity, human involvement remains essential.

We want to hear from you! Share with us on LinkedIn how you’re leveraging AI to improve your workflow. Let’s continue exploring ways to work smarter, not harder. 🚀