Introduction

WELCOME TO Enterprise AI in the Cloud: A Practical Guide to Deploying End-to-End Machine Learning and ChatGPT Solutions. This book is the definitive guide to equip readers with the methodology and tools necessary to implement artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and generative AI technologies. You have in your hands a powerful guide to potentially transform your company and your own career.

In this book, you learn how to

• Develop AI strategy, solve challenges, and drive change
• Identify and prioritize AI use cases, evaluate AI/ML platforms, and launch a pilot project
• Build a dream team, empower people, and manage projects effectively
• Set up an AI infrastructure using the major cloud platforms and scale your operations using MLOps
• Process and engineer data and deploy, operate, and monitor AI models in production
• Use govern models and implement AI ethically and responsibly
• Scale your AI effort by setting up an AI center of excellence (AI COE), an AI operating model, and an enterprise transformation plan
• Evolve your company using generative AI such as ChatGPT, plan for the future, and continuously innovate with AI

From real-world AI implementation, AI/ML use cases, and hands-on labs to nontechnical aspects such as team development and AI-first strategy, this book has it all.

In a nutshell, this book is a comprehensive guide that bridges the gap between theory and real-world AI deployments. It's a blend of strategy and tactics, challenges, and solutions that make it an indispensable resource for those interested in building and operating AI systems for their enterprise.

HOW THIS BOOK IS ORGANIZED

This book is not just a theoretical guide but a practical, hands-on manual to transform your business through AI in the cloud. My aim is to provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to harness the power of AI for your enterprise with a methodology that is comprehensive and deep.

• Part I: Introduction: In Part I, I explain how enterprises are undergoing transformation through the adoption of AI using cloud technologies. I cover industry use cases for AI in the cloud and its benefits, as well as the current state of AI transformation. I also discuss various case studies of successful AI implementations, including the U.S. government, Capital One, and Netflix.
• Part II: Strategizing and Assessing for AI: In this part, I discuss the nitty-gritty of AI, such as the challenges you may face during the AI journey, along with the ethical concerns, and the four phases that you can adopt to build your AI capabilities. I then discuss using a roadmap to develop an AI strategy, finding the best use cases for your project, and evaluating the AI/ML platforms and services from various cloud providers. It's like a step-by-step guide to your AI adventure.
• Part III: Planning and Launching a Pilot Project: This part covers all the challenges and tasks centered on planning and launching a pilot project, including identifying use cases for your project, evaluating appropriate platforms and services, and launching the actual project.
• Part IV: Building and Governing Your Team: People make magic happen! Part IV explores the organizational changes required to empower your workforce. I guide you through the steps to launching your pilot and assembling your dream team. It's all about nurturing the human side of things.
• Part V: Setting Up Infrastructure and Managing Operations: In this part, you roll up your sleeves and get technical. Part V is like your DIY guide to building your own AI/ML platform. Here, I discuss the technical requirements and the daily operations of the platform with a focus on automation and scale. This part is a hands-on toolkit for those who are hungry to get geeky.
• Part VI: Processing Data and Modeling: Data is the lifeblood of AI. Part VI is where you get your hands dirty with data and modeling. I teach you how to process data in the cloud, choose the right AI/ML algorithm based on your use case, and get your models trained, tuned, and evaluated. It is where the science meets the art.
• Part VII: Deploying and Monitoring Models: Yay! It is launching time. Part VII guides you through the process of deploying the model into production for consumption. I also discuss the nuances of monitoring, securing, and governing models so they are working smoothly, safely, and securely.
• Part VIII: Scaling and Transforming AI: You have built it, so now you can make it even bigger! In Part VIII, I present a roadmap to scale your AI transformation. I discuss how to take your game to the next level by introducing the AI maturity framework and establishing an AI COE. I also guide you through the process of building an AI operating model and transformation plan. This is where AI transitions from the project level to an enterprise-level powerhouse.
• Part IX: Evolving and Maturing AI: This is where you peek into a crystal ball. I delve into the exciting world of generative AI, discuss where the AI space is headed, and provide guidance on how to continue your AI journey.

WHO SHOULD READ THIS BOOK?

This book is primarily meant for those serious about implementing AI at the enterprise level. It is for those focused on understanding and implementing AI within the context of enabling and executing upon an enterprise-wide AI strategy. It is a substantive, content-rich resource that requires focused reading and note-taking, with takeaways that you can go back to your company and start implementing. Below are some examples of roles that will benefit.

Data Scientists and AI Teams

This includes data scientists, ML engineers, data engineers, AI architects, and AI/ML project managers interested in learning about the technical and operational aspects of implementing AI in the cloud.

Data scientists and AI teams often struggle with scaling AI/ML models. This book provides comprehensive guidance on processing large volumes of data, choosing the right AI/ML algorithms, and building and deploying models in the cloud.

IT Leaders and Teams

This includes IT managers, cloud architects, IT consultants, system administrators, and solution architects who are responsible for the deployment and operation of AI systems and workloads using the cloud.

This book can help you build a scalable and robust AI infrastructure using cloud components. After reading this book, you can confidently choose the right cloud provider, manage the entire machine learning lifecycle, and integrate with the backend systems.

Students and Academia

This book helps students and people in academia learn about AI and its practical application beyond just theory. It is of particular relevance to those studying business, data science, computer science, and AI-related subjects. If you are looking for a comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of AI implementation, this book is for you.

I encourage you to read the entire book and supplement your reading with additional resources when needed.

Consultants and Advisors

This book will be of great help to consultants and professionals who advise executives, business and technology professionals about implementing AI for their companies. They are looking for best practices and a structured methodology.

Business Strategists and Leaders

These are people who may not be technically savvy but are interested in improving their business processes and strategies using AI.

C-Level Executives

This is a great book for C-level executives who want to learn about the strategic impact, business case, and execution of AI transformation at scale across the enterprise.

One of their major struggles is applying AI practically and profitably into their business processes and strategies. This book provides a detailed list of AI use cases and guides them to develop an AI strategy and business case, thus helping them make intelligent and informed decisions.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK

We are living in a world where technology is changing rapidly and is impacting both our personal and business lives. In particular, AI and cloud technologies are moving at the speed of light, and businesses are racing to keep up.

For companies, AI and cloud together form the secret weapon to staying competitive, driving cost efficiency, innovating, and delivering outstanding customer experiences.

However, implementing these technologies is not easy. These technologies are constantly evolving with countless tools, platforms, strategies, and the added complexity of ethical considerations. Therefore, you need a comprehensive, practical guide that helps you to adopt these AI and cloud technologies successfully.

You need a guide that is not just theoretical but is also practical so that you can easily understand, access, and implement these technologies successfully. This book will act as your roadmap and as a co-pilot to drive the engine, namely, the cloud and AI technologies.

UNIQUE FEATURES

This book is a toolbox with tools to achieve end-to-end AI transformation. This isn't your regular technical book, and here's why.

Comprehensive Coverage of All Aspects of Enterprise-wide AI Transformation

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