Software as a service or SaaS solutions has become the most popular business model for providing software services to customers. It allows consumers to select the software features they need to improve their operations. All users are assigned roles, and they get access to the software that runs from a cloud.
Well, AIaaS stands for Artificial intelligence as a service, and it uses the same model to provide users with industrial automation. It's gaining popularity quickly, so let's see how everything works in more detail.
AIaaS is redefining the way businesses interact with artificial intelligence.This approach makes much more sense for scaling and business benefits. When you get an AIaaS solution, you can enjoy all of the benefits AI provides without worrying about updates, maintenance, and similar cost. You can start using the AI as soon as you subscribe, and you won't have to invest in IT or new equipment. AIaaS is an accessible and scalable cloud solution that helps drive value to your operation, preparing it for the future.
As you can imagine, there are many different types of AI services available, so you have to understand what to look for to make the right choice. It all boils down to the industrial or business processes you want to improve. Generally speaking, AI tools are divided into three different categories - APIs, bots, and machine learning. Let's see what each type offers in more detail.
APIs are a common element in most solutions. APIs are important because they help bridge the gap between two different types of software, allowing you to get the most out of the combination. For example, some APIs are used for Natural Language Processing, extracting entities from text, sentiment analysis, etc. Most APIs are provided as a service, so you can start using them when you purchase the solution.
Bots, specifically chatbots, are quickly taking over traditional customer support practices. These AI-powered bots are designed to mimic human conversations and provide customers with the help they need 24/7. Chatbots proved to be much more efficient than traditional methods, providing businesses with an exceptional customer experience.
Machine learning is a subset of AI, and there would be no industrial automation without it. AIaaS Ml models are pre-trained, and they come with specific tools designed to improve business operations. Most available ML models don't require any previous experience to run, but they help generate insights that will help you streamline your operation.
Even though AIaaS offers some significant benefits when compared to in-house AI solutions, adopting it does come with some challenges. Here are some of the main issues businesses have to overcome to get AI's benefits.
Once you introduce any AIaaS or SaaS solution into your operation, you move most processes to a digital environment. That means that you have to ensure that your data is safe at all times, so you have to establish a strong security program to prevent cybercrime. That's why you need an AIaaS solution with state-of-the-art security features.
Let's say that the AIaaS solution you got doesn't provide you with the benefits you need, so you want to switch to another provider. Well, that can be a little difficult because different AI vendors use different response formats. Along with this, the switch might be difficult and time-consuming since your team members will need to master the new software.
Cloud-based AIaaS services do provide data storage, but if your operation generates too much data, you won't have enough room for all of it. If your operation is at an enterprise level, AIaaS might be too small for your needs.
The primary benefit of AIaaS is that it allows almost instant implementation. That makes it a good choice if you need an AI solution quickly. However, it would be best if you calculated long-term and short-term costs before getting an AIaaS solution, just to make precise calculations for yourself.
Let's take a look at the main business and industrial benefits of adopting AIaaS solutions.
AIaaS is one of the most accessible ways of using AI to improve your operation. You don't need any technical skills to start getting AI's benefits. Most AIaaS solutions don't require any coding or complicated setup processes. When you consider the fact that AI experts are hard to find, AIaaS makes the most sense for the majority of small and medium-sized businesses. With that said, some solutions might be a little harder to implement, depending on the legacy software you use.
Traditionally speaking, AI solutions require a powerful CPU to run ML models and analyze large amounts of data. Most users simply don't have the computing power needed to run an AI, so that's where AIaaS makes a huge difference. All AI capabilities are run from a remote cloud, so you don't need a powerful computer to enjoy the benefits that AI provides. Moreover, you can customize your AIaaS according to your project, and it will keep running perfectly.
AIaaS offers a transparent platform that allows you to use advanced technologies for a reasonable price. Most providers use pricing models that focus on the features you select. Some providers give you more control over the AI's industrial automation features, allowing you to make some changes and provide feedback. The goal of AIaaS providers is to combine artificial intelligence with human intelligence to get the best effect.
Usability is the main issue for most as-a-service platforms. Their interface tends to be cluttered and more complicated than you think. The great thing about most AIaaS solutions is that they are usually 100% ready for use. Owners can install the software and jump right into using it without any previous experience.
The user interface is easy to master and usually includes pre-built models and easy-to-use drag-and-drop tools. In other words, you can start using the ML model in your operation hours after adopting the solution.
Scalability is a must for any as-a-service solution because you want to keep using it as your company grows. AIaaS is built with that in mind. It uses industrial automation to perform simple tasks without human intervention. As a result, your team members will have more time to focus on important work, while your AI will complete tasks that usually take a lot of time.
AIaaS platforms offer all kinds of advantages you can use to grow your business. You can fully customize the solution to your needs and pay only for the features you use. That makes AIaaS the most affordable way of adopting advanced AI solutions designed to help you improve your company.
Remember to check if the solution has the capacity and features you need before starting because you don't want to pay for something that won't deliver the results you expect. Along with, jump on the AI train as soon as you can, and you'll get a significant advantage over your competition.