Artificial Intelligence Outsourcing: Gain a Competitive Advantage for Your AI Journey

Machine Learning

As its name implies, machine learning services involve building and training algorithms that enable machines to learn and improve from the data fed without being explicitly programmed. In the business environment, ML models are usually employed for diverse purposes, from automating repetitive tasks to conducting predictive analytics, streamlining decision-making processes, and powering personalized recommendation engines.

Natural Language Processing

NLP involves teaching machines to analyze and understand human language as well as generate meaningful responses. This is the key technology in developing and implementing virtual assistants, including chatbots, voice assistants, translation tools, sentiment analysis software, etc.

Robotic Process Automation

RPA focuses on operational efficiency and productivity enhancement by assuming responsibility for monotonous, rules-driven work previously done by human agents. This type of AI service covers creating intelligent robots capable of performing complex tasks and automating business processes. Outsourcing robotics services greatly benefits various industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and logistics.

Data Analysis

Data science is the core of artificial intelligence. With data being the new oil in such a modern world, those who manage to process and convert unstructured data into actionable insights gain a competitive advantage. Outsourcing data analytics services helps businesses work with data analysts, scientists, and engineers to uncover patterns and derive valuable insights that enable making data-driven decisions.

Computer Vision

This technology enables machines to scan and interpret visual information from the real world. It is implemented to enhance software products or processes involving advanced visual capabilities. Computer vision is commonly applied in self-driving cars, facial recognition systems, and object detection tools.

Deep Learning

Deep learning is related to machine learning yet in a much more sophisticated approach. It involves training algorithms with different layers of artificial neural networks to examine complex data and perform human intelligence tasks, such as image and speech recognition or natural language processing.

Generative AI

Generative AI models are designed and crafted to produce original content across different formats, such as text, images, videos, or music. These systems harness a perfect blend of machine learning and deep learning algorithms to generate unique outputs without human intervention. The applications of GenAI span multiple industries, including creative ones. Businesses that encourage the utilization of this technology within their workflow can save a considerable amount of time and resources in producing content, even though such AI models are unable to fully replicate human creativity.

Access to Skilled Labor

You are promised many benefits when you leverage AI development outsourcing services, but the first and foremost advantage is the opportunity to meet up and work with skilled AI professionals. Data scientists, AI engineers, and developers are the most sought-after talent. Those are not available in your local area. Even if they are, their rates are exorbitant.

Through outsourcing relationships, business owners are connected with the global talent pools where they can get the resources and expertise necessary for their AI projects. This can buy you a guarantee that your AI product will be outdone by real experts.

Lower Cost

AI development is the game of advanced technologies and innovations; therefore, budgetary concerns are inevitable. In fact, hiring AI specialists or assembling a full-fledged team is expensive, not to mention investments in working spaces, facilities, equipment, and materials. But when you go for AI outsourcing, you can make a big difference in costs.

Firstly, outsourcing is a cost-effective approach to resource allocation, as you are relieved from the costs of recruitment, training, salaries, benefits, and equipment required to retain an in-house team. Alternatively, you can pay only for the resources or services you need when you need them.

Secondly, outsourcing enables you to take advantage of cost differences between countries to save your own budget. For instance, AI developers in the U.S. charges approximately $120 - $200 per hour while their counterparts in offshore countries, such as Vietnam, India, or China, only charge around $20 - $30 per hour for similar levels of expertise and experience.

Last but not least, outsourcing vendors often operate on a project-based or outcome-based pricing model; hence, you are allowed to have more control over your budget as well as development costs.

Ramp Up or Down without a Hitch

In almost all cases, AI projects are long-term, and they often demand dedicated resources. Nevertheless, the project scope and complexity may alter over time due to competitive pressure, fluctuating customer expectations, or changes in market demand. What can you do with a full-fledged in-house team? What happens when the project ends? Your choices are either to lay off some members to keep the team lean or keep them on board with no work to do.

And a reminder: AI professionals are hard to find and expensive to acquire. Once you lose them, it’s even harder and more costly to get them back. Hence, outsourcing is a logical solution for resource availability.

You can choose to contract out a dedicated team of AI experts or expand your squad with augmented members. Based on your project adjustments, the outsourcing partner can make changes to the team size and structure easier in order to optimize resource management while adapting to the changing needs. More importantly, you will not get bogged down in any staffing issues. For example, layoffs, rehiring processes, and employee retention.

Shift Focus on Core Business Activities

If your business core is on areas other than AI development, diverting resources from your competencies would never be wise. Instead, outsourcing enables you to stay focused on what you do best while still getting the job done by industry professionals.

You should best understand your business and your competencies. So, it falls to you to decide whether to delegate one specific business process or transfer the whole project to a service provider. You can turn all attention to strategic planning and leave the execution to a third party. Or you can come up with one or a few good ideas for AI systems and then find a partner to materialize them for you.

Mitigate Risks of Project Failure or Delays

Currently, artificial intelligence is a fast-paced technology that evolves at a breakneck speed. Hence, it is not surprising that many businesses are still on the sidelines. During the entire SDLC, an AI project is put through a lot of risks, both technical and non-technical ones (Such as budget, time, operation, etc.).

Hence, it is not surprising that many businesses are still on the sidelines, hesitating to take risks. But by outsourcing, you are capable of handing over some of them to the service provider, who is usually better equipped with risk management plans and has more experience across different technologies, domains, and verticals in running AI projects.

Speed Up Time-to-Market

In the tech industry, the latest trends fluctuate constantly in an unexpected way. An AI development project that is delayed or takes a longer time to launch to the market by any mean or reason may miss out on the best business opportunities.

A new AI solution with faster turn-around time stands a better chance to capture early adopters and beat competitors. Therefore, many businesses choose to outsource their projects to seize the first-mover advantage ahead of their rivals. With adequate resource availability, outsourcing companies can get one project off the ground and pull it off within the agreed time frame or even earlier without compromising on quality.