How AI is reshaping intelligent document processing in 2025

The reality is this: your business is buried under a mountain of contracts, invoices and forms. Hours of productivity are lost to manual data entry, and despite best efforts, errors persist.

With the right automation strategy, your future is this: accurate, structured data flowing seamlessly from documents into your systems, transforming chaos into clarity. That’s the promise of intelligent document processing (IDP) powered by artificial intelligence (AI). 

In 2025, IDP isn’t just something to consider, it’s essential. While the AI hype has put focus on its ability to solve document problems, many IT leaders are learning that leveraging JAM (just another model) isn’t going to get the return on investment (ROI) they are looking for. Implementing these solutions comes with their own unique set of challenges, as businesses grapple with scaling them, tackling the skills gap and building trust in AI outcomes. 

Breaking down the IDP revolution

At its core, IDP uses AI to extract, classify and validate data from unstructured documents. Think of invoices, leases and medical records. What’s different in 2025? The AI is sharper, faster and more industry focused. 

Case in point: a global fast-food franchise recently automated the extraction of data from over 30,000 lease documents annually, using ABBYY’s Document AI. The result? 82 percent accuracy across more than 350 complex fields, reducing manual rework and saving significant time and resources. 

The takeaway here is crucial: generic AI models, while impressive, don’t always deliver when applied to nuanced, industry-specific tasks. Specialized tools like ABBYY work exactly because they’ve been engineered for these complexities.

Download Driving innovation with intelligent document processing: Industry report

Key industry challenges (and how to overcome them) 

While leveraging foundational models might feel like a silver bullet, it’s not without its challenges. Here’s what IT decision-makers need to focus on to move past the hype and fully leverage AI’s potential in business. 

Overcoming limitations of generic AI models 

It’s a bit like asking your average GPS to plan a Mars rover mission – it’s good, but not that good. Models like GPT-4 struggle with certain document types, such as image-based IDs or handwritten notes. The solution? Invest in purpose-built AI tools that combine IDP with complementary technology like generative AI and other intelligent automation ecosystems, making it work seamlessly inside your IT architecture. 

Addressing the AI and IDP skills gap 

The demand for AI and IDP expertise is outpacing supply. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in software-related fields is projected to grow 17 percent by 2033, driven largely by AI advancements. For businesses, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. 

What to do: 

• Upskill your teams with hands-on training in AI tools and IDP technologies.
• Leverage expert partnerships with providers like ABBYY, tapping into their specialized support for smoother adoption.
• Use process intelligence to identify which operational bottlenecks are ripe for AI solutions, making implementation more focused and impactful. 

Integrating AI-powered IDP into existing systems 

You’ve invested in AI but integrating it into your IT infrastructure feels like assembling furniture without the manual. No worries, it’s easier than you think with a strategic approach. 

The playbook:

• Leverage process intelligence to highlight the bottlenecks and clearly visualize your ROI.
• Test small before scaling. Start by automating one process and build confidence before rolling out across the enterprise.
• Use tools like ABBYY’s Document AI to overcome the complexities of working with the unstructured data inside your document, which occur in 90 percent of your business processes.
• Choose solutions that allow for manual oversight during the learning curve, just like ABBYY’s native review HITL (human-in-the-loop) that enables humans to check low-confidence results. 

Turning hype into action 

AI solutions sometimes get touted as industry saviors before they’ve delivered measurable results. The only way to get past the chatter? Focus on production-level AI that can withstand real-world applications. Check that your vendor has a proven track record of delivering business outcomes.

Recent news like the DeepSeek R1 model proves AI capabilities can scale economically. Similarly, tailored IDP solutions can deliver significant ROI, especially as businesses automate cost-intensive workflows. 

Pragmatic tip: avoid all-in-one AI hype. Instead, invest in solutions tailored to specific business needs (like IDP for document-heavy processes). 

Why IDP is the foundation of AI success 

IDP isn’t just a productivity hack – it’s the foundation for future AI applications. When AI systems are making fully autonomous decisions (agentic automation), but relying on incomplete, flawed data, it won’t end well.

That’s why IDP is no longer something to consider, but rather an absolute must-have in any organization. By providing structured, accurate and compliant data, it sets the stage for trustworthy AI decision-making. 

Real-world use cases include:

• Insurance claims processing: IDP extracts structured data from claim forms, feeding it into AI systems for faster approvals and fraud detection.
• Supply chain operations: Automating invoice processing with IDP reduces human error and keeps procurement teams on track.
• Customer experience: Enhanced by IDP, AI chatbots deliver precise responses, stemming from better document analysis. 

Get ahead of the curve 

The businesses that thrive will be those primed to unlock the full potential of AI-powered IDP. Here’s your action plan to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond:

• Leverage process intelligence: Audit your workflows to pinpoint inefficiencies and opportunities ripe for automation. ABBYY Process AI offers process mining, task mining and process simulation.
• Invest in proven IDP solutions: Specialized tools like ABBYY Document AI deliver measurable results.
• Form expert partnerships: Collaborate with trusted automation providers to bridge knowledge gaps and fast-track implementation. 

Curious how this all works? Schedule an IDP demo today to explore how ABBYY’s technology can redefine document processing for your business. It’s time to move beyond buzzwords and build the future!