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What are the deployment options for AI application platforms?

AI application platforms can be deployed in several ways, depending on factors like scalability, cost, control, and latency requirements. Here are the main deployment options with explanations and examples:

  1. On-Premises Deployment

    • The AI platform is installed and run on a company’s own servers and infrastructure.
    • Pros: Full control over data, security, and customization.
    • Cons: High upfront costs, maintenance burden, and limited scalability.
    • Example: A financial institution deploying an AI fraud detection system on its own data center for compliance reasons.
  2. Public Cloud Deployment

    • The AI platform runs on a third-party cloud provider’s infrastructure (e.g., compute, storage, and AI services).
    • Pros: Scalable, cost-efficient (pay-as-you-go), and fast to deploy with built-in AI tools.
    • Cons: Dependency on the cloud provider’s security and potential latency issues.
    • Example: A startup using Tencent Cloud TI Platform to train and deploy machine learning models without managing hardware.
  3. Hybrid Deployment

    • Combines on-premises and cloud resources, allowing sensitive data to stay on-site while leveraging cloud scalability.
    • Pros: Balances security and flexibility.
    • Cons: Complex to manage and integrate.
    • Example: A healthcare provider processing patient data locally but using Tencent Cloud AI services for model training in the cloud.
  4. Edge Deployment

    • AI models are deployed on edge devices (e.g., IoT devices, local servers) to process data locally with low latency.
    • Pros: Real-time processing, reduced bandwidth use.
    • Cons: Limited compute power compared to the cloud.
    • Example: A smart factory using edge AI for real-time quality control with Tencent Cloud IoT Edge for lightweight model inference.
  5. Serverless Deployment

    • AI applications run on demand without managing servers, using functions-as-a-service (FaaS).
    • Pros: Auto-scaling, cost-effective for sporadic workloads.
    • Cons: Cold starts and limited runtime control.
    • Example: A chatbot service using Tencent Cloud SCF (Serverless Cloud Function) to handle user queries dynamically.

For AI workloads, Tencent Cloud offers services like TI Platform (AI model training & deployment), TKE (Kubernetes for AI workloads), and Cloud GPU (for accelerated computing) to support flexible deployment.