Systems, Architecture and Systems Architecture

While searching for insights on the implementation of AI, I found a very helpful article, “The great acceleration: CIO perspectives on generative AI” (https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/07/18/1076423/the-great-acceleration-cio-perspectives-on-generative-ai/) by MIT Technology Review Insights in partnership with Databricks. From this article, I extracted some key points regarding what Cloud Solutions Architects should consider.

Data Infrastructure is Key

• Core Requirement: The document emphasizes that a robust, scalable, and flexible data infrastructure is not just important but crucial for supporting generative AI applications.
• Lakehouse Architecture: It highlights the emergence of cloud-based data lakehouse architectures as a popular solution to meet these infrastructure demands.
• Efficiency and Accessibility: The document underlines that lakehouses offer a way to democratize access to data and analytics, while also improving security and balancing cost-effectiveness with query performance.

Build vs Buy Decision

• Strategic Choice: The report frames the build vs. buy decision as a key strategic consideration for companies.
• Factors at Play: It indicates that companies are weighing various factors, including data security, competitive advantage, and control, when making this decision.
• “Lock-In” Implication: The document infers the risk of “lock-in” when it mentions the need for companies to protect their intellectual property and sensitive data, and to be wary of relying too heavily on external platforms where they have limited control (I presented that concept in a previous post https://marceloramirez.blog/?p=395).

Risks around AI

• Data Leaks: The document explicitly mentions concerns about the risk of data leaks, particularly when using third-party services or Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Inaccuracies: It also highlights the issue of inaccuracies in AI outputs, noting that even large LLMs can be prone to generating false information.
• Governance and Risk Management: The report emphasizes the need for proper governance and risk management frameworks to address the challenges and potential downsides of AI adoption.

Reference

MIT Technology Review Insights. (2023, July 18). The great acceleration: CIO perspectives on generative AI. MIT Technology Review. https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/07/18/1076423/the-great-acceleration-cio-perspectives-on-generative-ai/