The Rise of Model-as-a-Service (MaaS) and the Productization of AI

In recent years, the trend of productizing software and services has become more prevalent in the technology industry. One such example of this trend is the emergence of Model-as-a-Service (MaaS) in the field of artificial intelligence. MaaS allows cloud-centric software engineers to access prebuilt, preconfigured, and pre-trained machine learning models for a variety of AI functions.

MaaS has been hailed as a groundbreaking paradigm shift that revolutionizes the deployment and utilization of generative AI models. With the rise of MaaS, developers and users can leverage pre-trained AI models without the need for extensive infrastructure or expertise in model training. This approach is more efficient, cost-effective, and easier to scale with, especially in the realm of generative AI.

Organizations like NTT Data have launched AI models, such as the Tsuzumi large language model, through MaaS services like Microsoft Azure AI. Tsuzumi is a versatile model capable of adjusting its size without compromising performance, making it highly relevant and adaptable to specific use-case requirements. This development marks a new milestone in a longstanding collaboration between NTT Data and Microsoft Azure aimed at empowering organizations globally to harness the power of generative AI.

The productization trend is not limited to AI models; companies like SAS are also offering lightweight, industry-specific AI models for individual licenses. These models are designed to equip organizations with readily deployable AI technology to address real-world use cases in industries such as financial, healthcare, manufacturing, and government. By offering deterministic AI models tailored to specific industries, SAS is democratizing AI and empowering businesses to flourish in their distinctive environments.

As the productization of model-based AI continues to gain momentum, we can expect to see AI becoming a more embedded utility in all applications. While the hype surrounding AI innovation is still prevalent, the shift towards productizing AI models is paving the way for a future where smart intelligence is seamlessly integrated into various applications. Until then, AI continues to go en masse on MaaS, shaping the future of artificial intelligence in the technology industry.