Introduction
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way businesses operate, offering new capabilities and insights that can improve efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction. With AI Builder, a feature of PowerApps, users can add AI capabilities to their applications without writing any code or having any prior AI knowledge. AI Builder allows users to choose from a variety of AI models, such as object detection, form processing, sentiment analysis, and prediction, and train them with their own data. Users can then easily integrate the AI models into their PowerApps, which are custom applications for web and mobile devices that can connect to various data sources and Microsoft services.
In this blog, we will explore how to use PowerApps and AI Builder to create AI-driven applications that can solve real-world problems. We will cover the following topics:
- What are the benefits of using PowerApps and AI Builder?
- How to create a PowerApps and connect it to a data source?
- How to add AI Builder components to PowerApps and configure them?
- Examples of PowerApps with AI Builder in action
- Why combine PowerApps and AI Builder
- What is Microsoft Prebuilt AI Models and how can they be used
Benefits of using PowerApps and AI Builder
PowerApps and AI Builder offer several benefits for users who want to create AI-driven applications, such as:
- Accessibility: PowerApps and AI Builder are designed to be easy to use, with intuitive interfaces and guided steps. Users do not need to have coding or AI expertise, as they can use pre-built templates, components, and models, or customize them as needed. Users can also access online tutorials, documentation, and community forums to learn and get support.
- Agility: PowerApps and AI Builder allow users to create applications quickly and iteratively, without having to wait for IT or developers. Users can prototype, test, and deploy applications in hours or days, rather than weeks or months. Users can also use the Power Platform Admin Center to manage and monitor their applications and use the Power Platform Center of Excellence to establish best practices and governance.
- Affordability: PowerApps and AI Builder are part of the Microsoft Power Platform, which offers a low-cost and scalable solution for building applications. Users can start with a free plan, and upgrade to premium plans as needed. Users can also leverage the existing Microsoft infrastructure and services, such as Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics 365, to reduce costs and complexity. Users can also take advantage of the Power Platform licensing model, which allows them to pay only for the features and resources they use.
- Adaptability: PowerApps and AI Builder enable users to create applications that can adapt to changing needs and scenarios, by allowing them to update and modify their applications easily and frequently. Users can also use AI Builder to train and improve their AI models with new data and feedback. Users can also use the Power Platform connectors to integrate their applications with other external systems and services, such as Salesforce, Mailchimp, or Twitter.
Creating a PowerApps and connecting it to a data source
To create a PowerApps, users need to have a Microsoft account and access to the PowerApps portal. Users can sign up for a free plan or use their existing Office 365 or Dynamics 365 account. Once logged in, users can follow these steps to create a PowerApps and connect it to a data source:
- On the PowerApps portal, click on Create and choose the type of app to create: Canvas, Model-driven, or Portal. Canvas apps are the most flexible and customisable, as they allow users to design the user interface and logic of their app from scratch or from a template. Model-driven apps are based on the data model and business logic of the Dynamics 365 platform and offer a standardised and consistent user experience. Portal apps are web-based apps that allow external users, such as customers or partners, to interact with the data and processes of the Power Platform.
- On the PowerApps Studio, users can add and arrange various components to their app, such as screens, buttons, labels, galleries, forms, and media. Users can also use formulas to define the behaviour and logic of their app, such as navigation, validation, and calculation. Users can also use the PowerApps Studio toolbar to access various features and tools, such as themes, icons, media, controls, and data.
- To connect the app to a data source, users can click on Data on the left panel, and then click on Add data. This will open a list of available connectors, such as SharePoint, Excel, SQL Server, OneDrive, and more. Users can select the connector they want to use and follow the instructions to sign in and grant permissions. Users can also create custom connectors, if they want to connect to a data source that is not supported by PowerApps.
Once the data source is connected, users can use it to populate and update their app components, such as galleries and forms. Users can also use filters, sorts, and searches to manipulate the data in their app. Users can also use the PowerApps Studio formula bar to write and edit formulas that use the data source functions and properties.
Adding and configuring AI Builder components in a PowerApps
To add AI capabilities to a PowerApps, users can use AI Builder, a feature that allows users to create and use AI models within the Power Platform. AI Builder offers several types of AI models, such as:
- Object detection: This model can identify and locate objects in an image and return their names and coordinates. Users can use this model to create apps that can recognise products, logos, animals, plants, and more. Users can also use the Object Detector component to add the object detection functionality to their app and use the AI Builder portal to train and test their model with their own images and labels.
- Form processing: This model can extract and process information from forms, such as invoices, receipts, or contracts. Users can use this model to create apps that can automate data entry, validation, and analysis. Users can also use the Form Processor component to add the form processing functionality to their app and use the AI Builder portal to train and test their model with their own forms and fields.
- Sentiment analysis: This model can analyse the sentiment of a text, and return a score and a label (positive, negative, or neutral). Users can use this model to create apps that can measure customer feedback, reviews, or social media posts. Users can also use the Sentiment Analysis component to add the sentiment analysis functionality to their app and use the AI Builder portal to test their model with their own text.
- Prediction: This model can predict the outcome of a scenario, based on historical data and user input. Users can use this model to create apps that can forecast sales, revenue, churn, or demand. Users can also use the Prediction component to add the prediction functionality to their app and use the AI Builder portal to train and test their model with their own data and fields.
To add an AI Builder component to a PowerApps, users can follow these steps:
- On the PowerApps Studio, click on Insert on the top menu, and then click on AI Builder. This will open a list of available AI components, such as Object Detector, Form Processor, Sentiment Analysis, and Prediction.
- Select the AI component that matches the desired AI model and drag and drop it to the app screen. This will add the AI component to the app, and open the AI Builder portal, where users can create and configure their AI model.
- On the AI Builder portal, users can follow the guided steps to create and configure their AI model, such as naming the model, selecting the data source, defining the fields, training the model, and testing the model. Users can also use pre-built models or customize them as needed. Users can also use the AI Builder portal toolbar to access various features and tools, such as settings, performance, feedback, and publish.
- Once the AI model is created and configured, users can click on Save and return to PowerApps. This will return to the PowerApps Studio, where users can see the AI component on their app screen and use formulas to define its properties and actions. Users can also use the PowerApps Studio formula bar to write and edit formulas that use the AI component functions and properties.
Examples of PowerApps with AI Builder in action
PowerApps with AI Builder can be used to create various types of AI-driven applications, such as:
- A product catalog app that can scan and identify products from an image, and display their details, prices, and reviews. This app can help users to find and compare products easily and provide feedback and ratings. This app can also help businesses to showcase their products and increase sales and customer satisfaction.
- An expense report app that can extract and process information from receipts, and automatically generate and submit expense reports. This app can help users to save time and effort and avoid errors and fraud. This app can also help businesses to streamline their expense management and accounting processes and reduce costs and risks.
- A customer service app that can analyse the sentiment of customer feedback and prioritize and respond to the most urgent or negative ones. This app can help users to improve their customer service and satisfaction, and address issues and complaints. This app can also help businesses to enhance their customer loyalty and retention and increase their reputation and revenue.
- A sales forecasting app that can predict the sales performance of a product, based on historical data and user input. This app can help users to plan and optimise their sales strategies and actions and achieve their goals and targets. This app can also help businesses to improve their sales efficiency and effectiveness and increase their market share and profitability.
These are just some examples of the possibilities of PowerApps with AI Builder. Users can explore more examples and templates on the PowerApps portal or create their own custom applications with PowerApps and AI Builder.
Why combine PowerApps and AI Builder
PowerApps is a low-code platform that enables users to create custom applications for various business scenarios, such as data collection, reporting, workflow automation, and more. PowerApps allows users to connect to different data sources, design user interfaces, and add business logic, without requiring extensive coding skills or development experience.
AI Builder is a feature of PowerApps that enables users to add artificial intelligence capabilities to their applications, such as text and image recognition, language understanding, sentiment analysis, prediction, and more. AI Builder allows users to leverage prebuilt or custom models, and integrate them with PowerApps, without requiring advanced knowledge of machine learning or data science.
By combining PowerApps and AI Builder, users can create powerful and intelligent applications that can automate tasks, optimize processes, and enhance decision making. Users can benefit from the advantages of both platforms, such as:
- Rapid and easy development: Users can create applications in minutes or hours, rather than days or weeks, by using drag-and-drop tools, templates, and components. Users can also test and deploy their applications seamlessly across devices and platforms.
- Data integration: Users can connect to various data sources, such as SharePoint, Excel, Dynamics 365, SQL Server, and more, and use them to train and consume AI models. Users can also enrich their data with insights from AI models and use them to drive actions and outcomes.
- Customisation and scalability: Users can tailor their applications to their specific needs and preferences, by using custom connectors, expressions, formulas, and controls. Users can also scale their applications to meet their performance and security requirements, by using Azure services and resources.
- Innovation and efficiency: Users can leverage the latest AI technologies and techniques, such as computer vision, natural language processing, and machine learning, to solve complex and challenging problems. Users can also improve their productivity and quality, by reducing manual errors, enhancing accuracy, and increasing speed.
What is Microsoft Prebuilt AI Models and how they can be used:
Microsoft Prebuilt AI Models are ready-made AI models that are provided by Microsoft and can be used by PowerApps and AI Builder users. These models are designed to address common and useful business scenarios, such as:
- Business card reader: This model can scan and extract information from business cards, such as name, company, title, phone, email, and address, and store them in a structured format.
- Form processing: This model can analyse and extract information from forms, such as invoices, receipts, purchase orders, and more, and store them in a structured format.
- Object detection: This model can identify and locate objects in images, such as products, logos, people, animals, and more, and provide their names and coordinates.
- Text recognition: This model can recognize and extract text from images, such as signs, labels, documents, and more, and store them in a plain text format.
- Binary classification: This model can predict a binary outcome, such as yes or no, true or false, pass or fail, and more, based on historical data and> user input.
- Text classification: This model can classify text into predefined categories, such as sentiment, topic, intent, and more, based on historical data and user input.
- Entity extraction: This model can identify and extract entities from text, such as names, dates, locations, numbers, and more, and store them in a structured format.
Users can use these prebuilt AI models in their PowerApps applications, by following these steps:
- Select the prebuilt AI model that suits their scenario and data, from the AI Builder portal or the PowerApps studio.
- Provide some sample data to train and test the model or use the default data provided by Microsoft.
- Review and publish the model and check its accuracy and performance metrics.
- Add the model to their PowerApps application and use it to process new data and generate insights.
Users can also customize and expand these prebuilt AI models, by using the following options:
- Modify the model parameters, such as fields, labels, categories, thresholds, and more, to fit their data and needs.
- Add more data to the model, to improve its accuracy and generalization.
- Combine the model with other models, connectors, components, or logic, to create more complex and advanced applications.
As we’ve explored throughout this Blog, Microsoft’s PowerApps and AI Builder are game changers in the world of application development. These tools not only streamline the creation process but also open a world of possibilities for innovation with AI. So, whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, I encourage you to dive in and see how these tools can transform your approach to solving business challenges. Happy developing!