Artificial Intelligence as a Service Artificial Intelligence as a domain has become a much sought-after technology for most enterprises. Enterprises both big and small wish to make optimum use of available AI advances to serve their individual needs, be it making sense of huge amounts of data or to enhance user experience by deploying chatbots instead of human agents. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines artificial intelligence as a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computer or the capability of computers or machines to imitate intelligent human behavior. AI as a growing field has few limitations that restrict its use by different enterprises. Limitations such as infrastructure, hiring of qualified personnel, costs etc. To bridge this gap of limitations many of the large enterprises now offer Artificial Intelligence as a Service or AIaaS, like Software as a Service or SaaS. As is the case with Saas, AIaaS is also a cloud based service that provides enterprises with the option of utilizing the available AI resources of a large enterprises. While there are large enterprises such as Amazon providing cloud based AI services called Amazon Machine Learning, Microsoft providing Microsoft Cognitive Services there are few start-up’s too that have jumped in to the foray, ex. Dataiku, BigML, ForecastThis etc.
Advantages of AIaaS Cost benefit Investing in AI resources and infrastructure can be quite an ask for an enterprise, especially for those looking to test the feasibility and application of AI in their business processes. Using AIaaS can save an enterprise from regularly occurring expenses such as maintenance, replacing old equipment etc.
Pre-configured AIaaS allows everyone, independent of their knowledge, to utilize Artificial Intelligence. For developer’s simple APIs are provided, for users without coding skills graphical user interfaces along with detailed instructions are made available by which means a data processing pipeline can be clicked together. The convenience as well as the self-marketing of the service providers suggests that everyone can easily apply AI algorithms. This might be the case for high level AI and standardized problems.
Minimal manpower required As mentioned above since AIaaS is pre-configured, it does not require high end skills to develop algorithms or in-depth, know-how of machine learning. This enables enterprises to deploy a smaller team to drive processes.
Using available expertise Since AIaaS is provided by larger enterprises with the available expertise in the domain, smaller enterprises do not find roadblocks that alter their progress. The expertise provided by the service provider gives a clear road map for smaller enterprises to follow and get results. Enterprises that need progressive AIaaS for a bigger challenge they are facing can always refer to their service provider who provides them with sound advise on expansion or the way forward.
Conclusion Artificial Intelligence is a sought-after capability in today’s fast-moving world where quick decisions must be made to stay relevant in a competitive market. AI’s efficiency in breaking down data and giving out accurate results is a must have capability that enterprises cannot do without. Additionally, capabilities such as AI powered chatbots and systems can help businesses enhance processes such as production or supervision, besides resolving customer related concerns much quicker than a human can. For enterprises that wish to use the advances made in the field of AI, AIaaS sounds as for smaller enterprises looking to check the feasibility of AI in their specific industry or business. For businesses having restrictions on cash flow but are confident of AI’s positive impact, AIaaS a good bet, as it does not require huge costs or infrastructure and can be handled by a smaller set of people.