What is open source AI?

Open source refers to a concept in software development where any programmer has the ability to participate and collaborate on a project, aiming to create reliable software within a reduced timeframe. 

It provides a valuable opportunity to harness the innovative ideas of talented individuals, driving advancements in technology. Open source can be likened to a collective endeavor where society reaps the benefits of exceptional work.

 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field within computer science that focuses on designing programs and algorithms that enable machines to mimic human-like behavior. It involves creating step-by-step procedures to solve problems or provide answers, ultimately enhancing the way various machines function.

Within the realm of Artificial Intelligence, there exist various subfields, namely:

Natural Language Processing (NLP): This area focuses on developing technology that facilitates natural interactions between humans and computers. By utilizing specialized software, machines can process human language, generate coherent responses, and engage in meaningful conversations with humans.

Machine Learning (ML): ML emphasizes the capability of machines to analyze data and utilize it to offer recommendations or make informed decisions. Machines equipped with ML algorithms can learn from provided datasets, enabling them to improve their performance and accuracy over time.

Computer Vision: This field revolves around creating machines that possess the ability to comprehend and interpret visual information. Through sophisticated algorithms and techniques, machines can recognize and understand images, videos, and other visual data.

Robotics: This subfield involves the development of physically capable machines that can perform tasks autonomously, without constant human supervision. These robots are designed to interact with the physical world and humans, carrying out specific actions or functions based on their programming and sensory input.

Presently, companies employ a method of verifying human users by requesting them to select images from a predefined set that share a common attribute, such as cars or volcanoes. By observing a scenario where a car is located at the base of an active volcano, we can infer that the car would likely be damaged. However, machines are still in the process of acquiring such abilities.

Open-source AI can be described as a collaborative effort among software engineers working on various artificial intelligence projects that are accessible to the public for development. The ultimate objective is to enhance the integration of computing technologies with human experiences.

Now, let's introduce a bonus keyword that establishes a connection between open-source AI and marketing: Industry 4.0.

IBM Says,

“Industry 4.0 is revolutionizing the way companies manufacture, improve and distribute their products. Manufacturers are integrating new technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and analytics, and AI and machine learning into their production facilities and throughout their operations.”  

Top Open-Source AI Platforms and Tools

Now, let's get to the focal point: We have curated a selection of open source AI tools to acquaint you with some of the top choices. This will aid you in navigating this subject, determining whether micro AI has the potential to enhance your return on investments, or if larger open source AI projects align better with your company's objectives.

1. TensorFlow

TensorFlow provides a comprehensive framework that fosters collaboration among programmers, enabling them to collectively develop innovative solutions and leverage the expertise of other professionals' pre-existing models.

As one of the most powerful AI platforms available, TensorFlow not only offers a wide range of functionalities but also provides training videos that serve as a valuable resource to kickstart your journey towards achieving success in the field.

What we think:  This platform’s compatibility with multiple programming languages, such as Swift, Python, and JavaScript. These languages are among the most widely used programming languages globally, making TensorFlow accessible to a broader audience.

Price: Free.

2. PyTorch

Similar to TensorFlow, PyTorch is a comprehensive solution that facilitates the conversion of ideas into practical applications. It offers a complete framework specifically designed to support different aspects of open source AI project development, encompassing extensive libraries and datasets that can be utilized.

Developers who are already proficient in Python will find PyTorch user-friendly. Its object-oriented approach aids in encapsulating modular pieces of code, each serving a specific purpose. These well-defined and reliable "objects" can be seamlessly integrated into larger sequences to perform more complex tasks, fostering collaboration among programmers and promoting mutual support.

3. Keras

Market as a user-centric solution, Keras is an application programming interface (API) that empowers users to conveniently share the front end of their deep learning models. With Keras, exporting models and running them on various platforms like browsers, iOS, and Android becomes seamless. This platform primarily emphasizes Python libraries that center around artificial neural networks.

Ideal for: Developers who favor an intuitive user interface when working with the latest iterations of TensorFlow, streamlining the software interaction during the development process.

Price: Free.

4. OpenAI

OpenAI has garnered significant attention in the media, and rightfully so, as it revolutionizes the landscape of natural language processing (NLP) AI programs. Their offering, Codex, is a model that translates natural language into code in the programming language of your choice.

Similar to other open source AI projects, OpenAI allows users to access their models and personalize the code according to their requirements. OpenAI is pushing the boundaries of what virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri can achieve and propelling the advancements in Industry 4.0. Unlike simply providing website references and reading text, this AI has the ability to generate its own natural language responses based on the information it gathers. It is truly remarkable, and you have the opportunity to collaborate with it.

Pricing -  OpenAI offers a complimentary $18 credit for experimentation over a three-month period, after which the prices are token-based and vary depending on your usage.

5. OpenCV

OpenCV is widely recognized for its open source AI platform dedicated to computer vision. While TensorFlow can be likened to an undergraduate degree in general AI, OpenCV holds a master's degree specifically in AI vision.

What sets OpenCV apart is its versatility, as its library is implemented in C, allowing it to be easily adapted to a wide range of platforms, from PowerPC Macs to robotic dogs, as they claim. Additionally, OpenCV features a new C++ interface and has developed wrappers for Java, Python, and other languages, promoting cross-language development and expanding its accessibility.

Best for: Developing AI specifically for computer vision applications.

Price: Free, including for commercial use.

6. H20.ai

According to the marketing message of H2O.ai's AI Cloud Platform, they assert that their platform is the swiftest and most precise AI solution globally. Moreover, they demonstrate an understanding of the ethical concerns associated with AI.

Their mission is to democratize AI by ensuring its accessibility to everyone, enabling individuals to utilize it for making positive contributions to the world.

Ideal for : Businesses that place a high priority on expediting development processes and intend to leverage AI to improve their offerings, aiming for efficient management of AI initiatives throughout their operations.

7. Rasa

Rasa is an excellent platform for constructing conversational AI, specifically chatbots, and offers free cloud deployment options. Its flexibility is highly praised, and it is often referred to as "future proof" because of its ability to seamlessly integrate with any NLP or ML model. This allows users to achieve more accurate outcomes as technology advances over time.

Ideal for : Tailored conversational AI solutions designed for enterprises, equipped with pre-built integrations for popular social messaging platforms such as Slack and Facebook.

Price: Free. There are also paid pro options for enterprises.

8. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

If you have code to execute or prefer a familiar environment for initiating development, AWS provides a free option where you can run your code and conveniently store the program's results/output. Moreover, AWS offers a range of advantageous features for business marketing purposes, including the ability to customize your code for their content delivery network and effectively manage task coordination for multiple cloud applications, all at no cost.

Ideal for: If you possess coding skills but require additional support services beyond development, including business-oriented features to facilitate progress towards Industry 4.0, there are available resources to assist you in advancing your endeavors.

Price: Costs vary. 

9. GitHub

Regardless of your chosen platform, the GitHub platform keeps collaborative work orderly.

GitHub is the biggest name in programming cooperation. The platform helps organize projects when many hands touch the same code, keeping track of version histories, notes, and Wikis.

Ideal for: Individuals or groups who are not acquainted but aim to collaborate effectively on a project.

Price: Basic $0, Team $44, Enterprise $231.

Conclusion

Make sure to stay vigilant and closely follow the rapidly evolving field of AI. Its progress is happening at a rapid pace, surrounding us in various ways. It's bound to be an exciting and dynamic journey! Being at the forefront of technology always brings a sense of thrill, and AI continues to advance, becoming more sophisticated, intelligent, efficient, and deeply integrated into our lives with each passing day.