International Data Corporation (IDC)
today published a new assessment of ten companies that provide
general-purpose artificial intelligence (AI) software platforms. The IDC
MarketScape report uses a comprehensive framework to assess these
vendors relative to a set of criteria that explain both short-term and
long-term success in the AI software platforms market. The evaluation
also incorporates buyer perceptions of these providers’ key
characteristics and capabilities.
The ten AI software platform providers evaluated in this MarketScape
report are: Amazon Web Services, CognitiveScale, EdgeVerve, IBM, Loop AI
Labs, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, Tencent, and Wipro.
General-purpose artificial intelligence software platforms provide the
functionality to analyze, organize, access, and provide advisory
services based on a range of structured and unstructured information.
These services generally fit into one of three categories: user/data
interaction, knowledge representation, and learning. The platforms also
offer APIs and microservices to build AI applications as well as the
tools and methodologies to incorporate these capabilities into AI
applications. The technology components of AI software platforms include
text analytics, rich media analytics (such as audio, video, and image),
tagging, searching, machine learning, categorization, clustering,
hypothesis generation, question answering, visualization, filtering,
alerting, and navigation.
“As the AI software platforms market continues to mature, customers are
looking for vendors that offer a wide range of APIs and services as well
as tools to help them identify, develop, and productionize AI
applications. Success in this rapidly evolving space requires AI
software platform vendors to continue to innovate and provide
production-ready AI APIs and microservices, tools to help customers
accelerate development and deployment as well as continuing to invest in
people, skills, IP, and partnerships to remain competitive,” said David
Schubmehl, research director, AI
Software Platforms at IDC.
Organizations are using general-purpose AI software platforms to develop
and put into production process and industry applications that
automatically learn, discover, and make recommendations or predictions.
The disciplines where artificial intelligence/machine learning (ML)
algorithms and technologies can significantly impact an organization may
span a variety of areas, including finance, sales, risk management, R&D,
procurement, HR, marketing, and performance management. Anti-money
laundering, patient outcomes, telco churn, retail pricing, asset
management, and logistics are just some examples of industry
applications where AI/ML technologies have proven to be useful.
“As more organizations move their use of AI from pilots and proof of
concept to production, customers are increasingly looking for vendors to
partner closely with them to ensure AI success,” added Hayley
Sutherland, senior research analyst for AI
Software Platforms. “This includes vendor capabilities like
outcomes-based pricing, co-creation of use cases, and the development of
accompanying KPIs and ROI models that reflect a deep understanding of
the customer’s business.”
The report, IDC
MarketScape: Worldwide General-Purpose Artificial Intelligence Software
Platforms 2019-2020 Vendor Assessment (IDC #US43065418),
presents a vendor assessment of the general-purpose artificial
intelligence software platforms market through the IDC MarketScape
model. The assessment discusses both quantitative and qualitative
characteristics that provide guidance about general-purpose AI software
platform vendors and their offerings. The evaluation does not include
specialized AI software platforms, such as conversational AI platforms
or advanced machine learning platforms.
About IDC MarketScape
The IDC
MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview
of the competitive fitness of IT, telecommunications, or
industry-specific suppliers in a given market. The research methodology
utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and
quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of
each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a
clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities
and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT,
telecommunications, or industry-specific vendors can be meaningfully
compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a
transparent foundation to allow companies to independently compare the
strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.
For more information about IDC MarketScape, please contact Karen Moser
at kmoser@idc.com.
About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the
premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and
events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer
technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers
global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry
opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC’s analysis and
insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment
community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their
key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG),
the world’s leading media, data and marketing services company. To learn
more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com.
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