AI for SMEs: Smarter, More Sustainable Solutions
The Cost Barrier to AI Adoption
The graph shows the positions of three types of corporate AI solutions, namely Chat GPT, DALL E and Neuralangelo.
These three products are contemporary examples of Large Language Models, Generative AI and 3D image reconstruction, respectively.
The white area of the graph indicates the region where micro-businesses would be able to operate a bespoke AI service using hardware that is leased or purchased outright.
The vertical axis processing boundary between the white and purple region represents a capital investment of approximately $100,000, with the cost increasing by a factor of ten for each vertical division thereafter.
Risks of Corporate AI Services
Current corporate AI solutions are available as subscription services, even to the smallest business, but have some potentially serious disadvantages.
Users of these services are placing their copyright in jeopardy. The cost and capabilities of the service are determined by the provider, who may negotiate favourable terms with selected clients, or even enter the market as a competitor.
How SMEs Can Leverage Hybrid AI
Recent products provide solutions that are better suited to the needs of SMEs, such as DeepSeek and our own hybrid solution, SmartView3D. Even so, DeepSeek is not a viable business option for small companies wishing to operate private AI services.
Hybrid AI solutions, focused on specific tasks, overcome the disadvantages of corporate solutions. Small Language Models, and their Generative AI equivalents, potentially offer products that better meet the needs of SMEs.
We will discuss how an SME can determine the best AI solution for their business in a future blog
