Getting Started with AI
There seems to be universal agreement that AI (Artificial Intelligence) is the biggest thing to happen to humanity since the internet. But it’s one thing to understand the potential of AI, it’s quite another to actually implement transformative AI solutions for business. Do you find yourself asking “how do I get started with AI?” Or more specifically, “how can I get real value out of AI?”
While it may seem daunting, the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. If you're interested in getting started with AI, we created this step-by-step guide just for you.
Explore AI SolutionsGetting started with AI - a step by step guide
Step 1: Conduct a Needs Assessment
Identify the areas of your business that might benefit from AI-powered automation. Some common examples include:
Repetitive tasks
Quality control
Predictive maintenance
Supply chain management.
Through your assessment you can then determine if an AI powered solution is right for your business.
Step 2: Define Clear Objectives
Establish SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound) goals for your AI-powered automation deployment. Whether it's improving efficiency, reducing costs, or enhancing product quality, having well-defined objectives and timelines will guide your AI implementation and help you assess what's working and what may not be.
Step 3: Build Your Team
Assemble a team that includes representatives from across your organization - especially operations and IT. Collaborative efforts ensure that the AI implementation aligns with both technical requirements and production needs.
Step 4: Assess Your Data Infrastructure
Evaluate the availability and quality of your data. AI relies on large datasets for training models. Start collecting data from all areas of your manufacturing processes.
Step 5: Collaborate with Vendors:
Engage with vendors and consultants who specialize in automation. They can provide insights, guidance, and possibly custom solutions tailored to your specific needs. Every AI implementation is different, so it's important to work with vendors who are able to commit the time and resources to understanding your unique challenges.
Step 6: Design your continuous improvement strategy
It may sound counterintuitive, but the best automation solutions are not "set and forget". To continue optimizing your implementation you’ll want to assess and act on questions like:
Is the AI model doing its job well enough?
Is it starting to miss things?
Does it need to be re-trained with new data?
How will you push out new models over time?
Hardware for artificial intelligence - finding the best computer for AI
When it comes to AI hardware options, different applications will require different AI solutions. Let’s review a few use cases to help you narrow down the best computer for AI.
IoT gateways
Whether your AI solution lives in the cloud or an on-premise server, you need an IoT gateway. This small but reliable computer is the go-between for data collected by embedded sensors and the cloud. They serve an increasingly vital role in AI solutions for gathering, storing, and sometimes partially processing incoming data before it’s transmitted.
For example, we engineered the Karbon 410 for reliability in even the most challenging installation conditions, which might include extreme temperatures and vibration prone locations.
AI at the Edge with an integrated GPU
Some of the newest processors with modern integrated graphics processing can easily support AI inference solutions at the edge. For example, the fanless Helix 511 is powered by Intel 12th Generation processors with hybrid-core architecture and DDR5 memory. This compact powerhouse offers plentiful I/O including legacy connections and powerful processing for an AI at the edge solution.
AI at the edge with discrete GPU
If you are looking to implement a more robust solution powered by 12th or 13th Gen Intel Core™ processing with discrete GPU, the Karbon 804, a fanless hybrid PC, offers high performance computing and has options for GPU and other accelerator and expansion cards with PCIe Gen 4.0 capabilities. The incredible throughput that PCIe Gen 4 offers means you have options when it comes to deciding the slots and lanes to use for your AI acceleration needs.
Option 1: A single PCIe riser with x16 slots and x16 lanes giving you a throughput of 256GT/s.
Option 2: A dual riser that offers 2 x16 slots with x8 lanes each. You could use one slot for the GPU giving you a throughput of 128GT/s. For many AI applications, that throughput is more than enough. In addition, the computer will then have an open slot giving you configuration flexibility for additional expansion options.
Need a smaller alternative? Our Karbon 803 offers a slightly smaller form factor with a single PCIe Gen 4 x16 slot.
GPU Server
For complex workloads, deep learning at the edge, and on-premise training and inference, a GPU server like the AC101 is a great solution. This platform offers Intel 13th generation processors and advanced GPUs and DDR5 memory. Many businesses are using edge servers in their cloud repatriation strategies to move compute resources on-premise to avoid latency and reduce operational costs.
Key takeaways about getting with started with AI
AI is transforming nearly every industry and changing how we live, work, and play. Now is the time to start strengthening your technology infrastructure to be better positioned to reap the benefits of AI including improvements in productivity, efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
It all starts with the following 5 steps:
Conduct a Needs Assessment
Define Clear Objectives
Build Your Team
Assess Your Data Infrastructure
Collaborate with Vendors
From there you can pilot an AI project and scale incrementally. When you are getting started with AI, you don’t have to change the world in one step. Start small and build on your success by continuously improving your AI models and processes. The OnLogic team is ready to help you understand your hardware needs and how an industrial computer can address your challenging requirements. The future is now, and using AI is no longer a matter of “if” but “when”.
When you are ready you don’t have to go on the journey alone, we’re here to help you get started. You can explore our computers for AI or connect with our AI Consulting team who can help you unlock the power of AI for your business.
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