Gen AI Platform Build vs Buy – Part I: Options and Tradeoffs

The emergence of Generative AI (Gen AI) has significantly influenced the technology landscape, prompting organizations to decide between building or buying Gen AI capabilities. This decision mirrors previous "Build vs Buy" dilemmas, such as those involving open-source projects like Linux and Kubernetes, and carries substantial implications for time to market, cost, and risk. Building a Gen AI solution offers customization and integration benefits but requires significant technical expertise and maintenance, while buying a Gen AI platform ensures rapid deployment and vendor support but may limit customization and create vendor dependency. Key considerations for decision-making include cost, available talent, compliance, security, and scalability. Vectara is highlighted as a platform facilitating Gen AI application development, emphasizing reliability and risk mitigation, with case studies illustrating the benefits of the "Buy" approach for organizations like SonoSim. Understanding these trade-offs is crucial for businesses seeking to incorporate Gen AI into their products and operations effectively.