6 trends shaping intelligent document processing (IDP)

The sheer volume of business documents - contracts, invoices, compliance reports - is growing exponentially, and manual processing is no longer sustainable. 

Companies that fail to automate are not just losing time; they're exposing themselves to compliance risks, costly errors, and security threats. Intelligent document processing (IDP) is no longer an option; it's a necessary pillar of your business operations.

AI breakthroughs, evolving regulations, and shifting business priorities are driving the next wave of IDP innovation. At Procys, we have identified six key trends that will reshape the way businesses handle documents in the coming years. Read on for a quick trend overview, plus six actionable insights to consider for your IDP strategy.

1. Humans and AI: a team, not a competition

The fear of AI replacing humans is giving way to a new reality: AI as an enabler, not a replacement. Organizations are moving toward a hybrid approach where AI automates repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work. AI can classify and validate data, but human oversight ensures compliance, strategic decision-making, and error handling.

🔹 Actionable insight: Companies that invest in AI literacy training for employees will see the greatest automation benefits. Consider launching internal workshops to teach employees how to audit AI-extracted data for accuracy and compliance.

2. Multimodal AI for greater accuracy

Traditional Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is being replaced by multimodal AI models capable of interpreting text, tables, images, and contextual relationships.

Many business documents (invoices, contracts, compliance reports) contain mixed data formats. For example, in the healthcare sector, multimodal AI is improving claims processing by accurately extracting handwritten notes, printed text, and scanned images within a single workflow. This technology reduces errors and significantly speeds up document handling.

🔹 Actionable insight: Businesses should seek IDP solutions that use multimodal AI to improve processing accuracy and reduce manual intervention.

3. The rise of generative AI and “citizen developers”

Two big trends are revolutionizing IDP: generative AI and the rise of "citizen developers" who use low-code/no-code platforms to automate document workflows.

Generative AI allows businesses to train IDP models quickly, without requiring massive datasets. Instead of spending weeks fine-tuning models, companies can build high-accuracy solutions in minutes using AI-driven tools. 

Related to this, with the growing availability of low-code/no-code platforms, non-technical employees ("citizen developers") can now build and customize IDP workflows as well.

Both of these developments mean that businesses can scale IDP automation faster without relying entirely on IT teams.

🔹 Actionable insight: Generative AI and low-code/no-code platforms enable faster IDP adoption, but companies must establish strong governance frameworks to manage the security risks and compliance requirements that come with this.

4. AI-driven fraud detection and cybersecurity

As AI enhances IDP, cybercriminals are also using AI to create sophisticated document fraud schemes, including deepfake invoices and identity fraud. Without AI-powered fraud detection, businesses risk falling prey to scams that cost enterprises billions annually.

For example, in procurement, AI-powered IDP is already detecting invoice fraud by flagging suspicious inconsistencies and anomalies that human reviewers might miss. Companies that integrate fraud detection into their document workflows prevent financial and reputational damage before it happens.

🔹 Actionable insight: AI-powered fraud prevention is a must-have for IDP. Businesses should implement anomaly detection and document verification AI to stay ahead of cybercriminals.

5. Data privacy and explainable AI

With growing concerns about data privacy and AI transparency, businesses are shifting toward private AI models and explainable AI (XAI). Compliance with regulations like GDPR and the AI Act is no longer optional: companies need full control over how AI processes their data.

For instance, in the legal industry, firms are adopting XAI to ensure document classification decisions are traceable and justifiable, reducing compliance risks.

🔹 Actionable insight: When evaluating IDP solutions, businesses should prioritize providers that offer clear, auditable decision-making processes to comply with evolving regulations.

6. Integration with enterprise systems

IDP is evolving from a standalone tool to a fully integrated component of enterprise automation, linking directly with ERP, CRM, and RPA systems. This eliminates manual data entry, accelerates decision-making, and enhances operational efficiency.

For example, leading logistics companies are integrating IDP with ERP systems to automate customs paperwork, reducing processing times from days to minutes.

🔹 Actionable insight: Organizations that integrate IDP with existing enterprise tools will see faster ROI and improved efficiency. Look for solutions that offer seamless API integrations with your current tech stack.

Conclusion

The future of intelligent document processing is defined by AI-powered efficiency, security, and enterprise-wide automation. Companies that embrace these trends will not only streamline operations but also enhance data security, accuracy, and decision-making. 

At Procys, we’re committed to delivering next-generation IDP solutions that help businesses automate smarter, stay compliant, and scale efficiently. 

Ready to see how intelligent automation can transform your document workflows?Book a demo.