Harnessing the Power of AI & ML: Best Practices for Narrow AI
Amruta Agnihotri
Amruta Agnihotri
Senior Software Architect
Introduction

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.

Narrow AI
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
 Predictive Maintenance System 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