Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are
transforming industries, driving innovation, and creating new
opportunities. Within the realm of AI, there are two primary
categories: Narrow AI and Generative AI. Narrow AI, also known
as Weak AI, is designed to perform specific tasks within a
limited scope. Unlike Generative AI (GenAI), which aims to
replicate human intelligence and handle any intellectual task,
Narrow AI is highly specialized and excels in performing
well-defined tasks. This specialization makes Narrow AI
particularly effective in delivering targeted solutions.
Narrow AI is best suited for problems that require precise,
focused solutions. For example, it can be used to predict
equipment failures in industrial settings or recommend products
based on user preferences to name a few. These applications
leverage the strengths of Narrow AI to provide reliable and
efficient solutions to specific problems. By homing in on a
particular task, Narrow AI can achieve higher accuracy and
performance compared to more generalized approaches.
Introduction
Following best practices in developing and deploying Narrow AI is
crucial for maximizing its potential.
1. Start with a Clear Problem to Solve
Narrow AI thrives on well-defined tasks, making it crucial to
pinpoint the exact issue you aim to address. Whether it's
predicting customer churn, optimizing supply chains, or
enhancing user experience, clarity in your problem statement
will guide the development process and set the foundation for
success.
Example: HVAC OEM or Facilities Manager wants to predict when
equipment will fail to perform predictive maintenance. By
focusing on this specific problem, they can develop an AI
solution that predicts failures before they occur, minimizing
downtime and repair costs.
Points to Consider
Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with stakeholders early to
understand their pain points and expectations. This helps
in defining the problem accurately and ensures alignment
with business goals.
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
2. Collect High-Quality Data
High-quality data is the foundation of AI and ML models. The
accuracy and reliability of your AI solution heavily depend on
the data you feed into it. Ensure your data is relevant,
clean, and comprehensive. It's also important to consider data
diversity to avoid bias and ensure your model performs well
across different scenarios.
Example: For the predictive maintenance solution, collecting
data on equipment performance, usage patterns, environmental
conditions, and historical maintenance records will provide
the necessary insights for training an effective model.
Points to Consider
Data Collection Plan: Develop a comprehensive data
collection plan that outlines data sources, collection
methods, and quality assurance procedures.
Data Augmentation: Use data augmentation techniques to
enhance your dataset, such as synthetic data generation or
combining data from multiple sources to increase diversity
and volume.
Data Privacy and Security: Ensure that the data collection
process adheres to data privacy regulations and
incorporates robust security measures to protect sensitive
information.
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
3. Choose the Right Algorithms
The choice of algorithm depends on the nature of the problem,
the type of data available, and the desired outcomes.
Experimenting with different algorithms and evaluating their
performance through rigorous testing will help you identify
the best fit for your specific use case.
Example: One might have to test algorithms like decision tree
classifiers, support vector machines, gradient boosting, or
recurrent neural networks to find the most accurate predictor
of equipment failure.
Points to Consider
Algorithm Benchmarking: Perform benchmarking studies to
compare the performance of different algorithms on your
specific problem, considering factors such as accuracy,
computational efficiency, and scalability.
Hyperparameter Tuning: Utilize hyperparameter tuning
techniques to optimize the performance of your chosen
algorithm, ensuring it is finely tuned to your data and
problem.
Model Interpretability: Consider the interpretability of
the chosen algorithm, especially for use cases where
understanding the model's decision-making process is
crucial for stakeholders.
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
4. Continuously Train Your Models
AI and ML models are not set-it-and-forget-it solutions.
Continuous training and updates are necessary to maintain
their effectiveness. As new data becomes available, retraining
your models ensures they stay relevant and accurate. This
iterative process helps in refining the model's predictions
and adapting to changing conditions.
Example: Predictive maintenance model should be regularly
updated with new data from equipment sensors to capture
emerging patterns and trends.
Points to Consider
Automated Retraining Pipelines: Set up automated
retraining pipelines that periodically update the model
with new data and redeploy it without manual intervention.
Performance Monitoring: Implement robust performance
monitoring tools to track the model’s accuracy and alert
you to any degradation over time, prompting timely
retraining.
Memory Footprint Management: Optimize the model's memory
footprint to ensure efficient use of computational
resources during retraining and deployment.
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
One potential high-level architecture diagram for AI Enabled
Predictive Maintenance System
5. Monitor and Adjust
Ongoing monitoring is essential to ensure your AI solution
performs optimally. Implementing a robust monitoring system
allows you to detect anomalies, measure performance, and make
necessary adjustments in real-time. This proactive approach
helps in maintaining the model's accuracy and reliability over
time.
Example: Monitoring dashboards can be set up to track the
performance of their predictive maintenance model and adjust
as needed to improve its accuracy and effectiveness.
Points to Consider
Real-Time Analytics: Use real-time analytics platforms to
monitor the model’s performance and visualize key metrics,
enabling quick detection of issues.
Feedback Loops: Establish feedback loops with end-users
and stakeholders to gather insights and continuously
improve the model based on real-world usage and
performance data.
Cost Management: Monitor the costs associated with running
and maintaining the AI solution, including computational
resources, storage, and ongoing maintenance.
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
6. Optimize for Deployment
Deploying AI models into production requires careful planning
and execution to ensure they perform well in real-world
conditions. Considerations for deployment include scalability,
latency, and integration with existing systems.
Points to Consider
Scalable Architecture: Design a scalable architecture that
can handle varying loads and grow with your needs.
Low Latency: Optimize the model and infrastructure for low
latency to ensure quick response times, especially for
real-time applications.
Integration: Ensure seamless integration of the AI
solution with existing systems and workflows to maximize
its impact and usability.
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
7. Evaluate Costs
Understanding the costs associated with developing, deploying,
and maintaining AI solutions is critical for budgeting and ROI
assessment. This includes costs for data collection, model
training, infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance.
Points to Consider
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to
evaluate the financial viability of the AI project,
considering both initial investment and ongoing expenses.
Cloud vs. On-Premises: Assess the pros and cons of
deploying your AI solution on the cloud versus
on-premises, considering factors such as cost,
scalability, and security.
Resource Optimization: Continuously seek ways to optimize
resource usage to minimize costs without compromising
performance.
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
Feasibility Study: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate
whether the problem can be realistically solved with AI,
considering factors such as data availability and
technological constraints
Author: Amruta Agnihotri. Posted on 23 January, 2023