Microsoft recently announced Workflow Assistant for Logic Apps (Standard), its integrated platform-as-a-service (iPaaS), available in public preview. The Assistant provides developers with a chat interface to access documentation and best practices for Azure Logic Apps without having to browse documentation or search online forums.
Workflow Assistant is another enhancement the Logic Apps product team has made for Logic Apps, following .NET custom code support, Application Insights support, and general availability of Data Mapper. All of these enhancements are for the standard version of Logic Apps, which enables developers to run workflows anywhere.
Workflow Assistant uses Azure Open AI and ChatGPT to query various knowledge sources related to Azure Logic Apps and provide curated information for the workflows you build. Query results are processed into a vectorized format and made accessible through backend systems built on Azure App Service.
Divya SwarnkarAs a program manager for Microsoft’s Logic Apps team, he writes:
When you specify an input prompt, the Azure Logic Apps backend performs preprocessing and forwards the prompt to the Azure Open AI large-scale language model. This model generates a response based on the specified context (workflow JSON format) and prompt.
The company takes into account over 1000 available connectors to guide you through workflows when choosing a connector or action, collaborating with other developers, or finding the best way to build your workflow. We recommend using the Workflow Assistant.
Swarnkar told InfoQ:
Core to our mission is to increase developer productivity, and AI is a key ally in achieving this. Our latest release, Workflow Assistant, is designed to help users seamlessly integrate AI into their workflows. It provides innovation and bridges to discover product help, best practices, standard patterns, and creating the best applications.
Workflow Assistant (Source: Microsoft Learn)
One of Microsoft’s competitors in the iPaaS space is Google. Google recently launched its application integration service, which was later integrated with Duet AI. Duet AI for Application Integration can create integration flows from requirements written in natural language provided by services through interfaces. In addition, Duet AI can create default data mappings within an integration flow that connects two applications based on variables created in the integration flow and integration application.
When asked by InfoQ what Microsoft has in mind for the future regarding Workflow Assistant, Swarnkar said:
The vast possibilities that AI opens up are fueled by customer feedback and real-world problem solving. Introducing workflow documents via the Workflow Assistant is in the pipeline. The potential for AI to add value across every stage of application development – from creation and deployment to testing and monitoring – is immense, and customer feedback guides our investments.
Finally, to learn more about the Workflow Assistant in Logic Apps (Standard), check out our documentation page.