Combine unique AI components to create solutions. What is the modular AI service "KEY RING"?

Data Artist Inc., a company with expertise and proven results in AI and data solutions. Data Artist has released "KEY RING," a service that combines AI modules to build solutions. Using "KEY RING," you can immediately leverage AI solutions with a proven track record, or combine several AI modules to build new solutions.

Many people likely have questions about AI, such as "I'm interested in AI, but I don't know how to use it" or "I hear about AI everywhere, but can it really be used for my company's business?" Alternatively, many may not even realize that AI could streamline their operations. "KEY RING" was created to make AI, which may seem "difficult" at first glance, "easy for anyone to use." However, even then, aspects like "What does combining AI modules mean?" can still be unclear to those unfamiliar with AI.

That's why this article features Data Artist Ken Yamada, who will explain the background, overview, and key features of "KEY RING." We encourage you to read this article and consider the potential for AI adoption within your own company.

AI has evolved from "cutting-edge technology" to "social infrastructure"

This time, we introduce "KEY RING," a solution-building service using AI modules provided by Data Artist. But first, let's talk a bit about "AI."

Many of you may have questions like, "What can AI actually do?" or "How advanced is AI today?" Others might feel, "I hear about AI a lot lately, but I'm not really sure what it is."

Actually, the attention on "AI" isn't a recent phenomenon. There have been periods in the past referred to as "booms," followed by periods of stagnation, repeating this cycle multiple times.

The "First AI Boom" is said to have occurred in the late 1950s to the 1960s, followed by the "Second AI Boom" in the 1980s. However, in both cases, the technology of the time had its limits, and the booms eventually ended. Now, since the 2000s, the "Third AI Boom" is underway. Machine learning, where AI itself acquires knowledge using vast amounts of data called "big data," became practical. Furthermore, deep learning emerged, where AI itself learns the elements that define knowledge. These advancements led to improved performance in various fields like image recognition, speech recognition, and translation, sparking this third boom. Now, what AI can do is expanding dramatically.

Through the development of deep learning, AI—which started as a simple system—now operates on models mimicking the neural networks within the human brain. This AI, combined with IoT, is driving the "Fourth Industrial Revolution." It's said that the world is now seeing an economic polarization between countries that can reap its benefits and those that cannot.

AI is undoubtedly the key technology that will lead the transformation and evolution of the coming era. However, the peak of excitement around AI was around 2016. Entering 2020, it has matured less as a "trend brimming with expectations, leading the era," and more as "something to be fully utilized as future social infrastructure." Yet, looking at Japan's situation, AI literacy is by no means high. Even among companies that have invested in AI, there are still relatively few examples where they have fully recouped that investment through business. Fundamentally, most companies are still in the "considering implementation" phase regarding AI. Despite AI technology already becoming infrastructure from a societal perspective, many Japanese businesspeople remain distanced from it. They express sentiments like "I'm interested in AI, but it feels inaccessible. I don't really understand what it can do," citing uncertainties such as "I don't know what it can and can't do," "I don't know if I can use it," and "I don't know where to start."

"KEY RING" is a platform that makes AI easy for anyone to use. With 20 AI modules, the possibilities for application are limitless.

That's why we developed the modular AI service "KEY RING." Conceived around the idea of "AI anyone can easily use," it was created with the goal of clarifying the often-confusing capabilities and potential of AI, building an AI platform accessible to everyone. While AI is often perceived as something only engineers can use, we believe it should be utilized by non-engineers, such as planners and strategists.

"KEY RING" literally means "keyring." Just as a keyring holds various keys, allowing you to use the one you need when you need it, we envision "KEY RING" as a tool where you "use the necessary AI when needed to open the door to solving problems."

"KEY RING" currently offers 20 distinct AI modules. Examples include: an AI module capable of natural conversation at a level suitable for small talk; an AI module that captures the movements and emotional shifts of people within videos; and an AI module that navigates the web, gathering and organizing necessary information. Each of these modules originated from solutions we developed in response to client requests asking, "Can we do this?" By unraveling these solutions, we identified 20 distinct AI modules. Therefore, these AI modules have already proven their performance accuracy. Furthermore, while they can be used individually, combining them like building blocks allows for constructing even more effective solutions.

The diagram below summarizes the AI modules implemented in "KEY RING".

"KEY RING" is precisely what creators and planners need

So, what are the benefits of using "KEY RING"? First and foremost, it's about "Speed" and "Cost." Using this eliminates the need to develop original AI from scratch, resulting in faster development and lower costs. While data training and loading tasks are still required, it enables you to quickly reach a state ready for proof-of-concept testing.

Furthermore, the AI modules provided by "KEY RING" can be combined to create even more valuable solutions. For example, one of our initiatives is "AI ELEVEN," a solution that predicts soccer match outcomes in real time. This was created by combining the "Motion Tracking Module," which tracks and analyzes player movements, with the "Image Region Segmentation Module," which analyzes the positions of players and the ball on the pitch.

Furthermore, "KEY RING" AI modules can connect not only with each other but also with other systems. This enables partial integration, such as collaborating with various SIers (System Integrators: companies undertaking all aspects of system development) and using "KEY RING" AI modules only where needed.

The "KEY RING" website features introductions to AI modules and examples of new solutions created by combining them. In fact, "KEY RING" also reflects my vision of creating an "AI menu" akin to a family restaurant's menu. Ideally, we should present solutions like "AI can do this for your challenge," but without expectations or an image of what AI can do, it's hard to even identify the right challenge. So, I think it's perfectly fine to start by looking at the AI modules and case studies on the "KEY RING" site and think, "If it can do this, might it help solve our problem?" That way, you can visualize more concrete scenarios for AI application.

"KEY RING" offers a suite of AI solutions ready to respond to your "I want to do this" aspirations. Moreover, combining these solutions enables a wide range of possibilities. Truly, the ideas you have can bring diverse AI solutions to life. That's why I want not only engineers but especially creators and planners to use it.

This time, we introduced the development background and basic functions of "KEY RING." Next time, we'd like to showcase several concrete solution examples demonstrating what can be achieved using "KEY RING." We sincerely hope this helps you feel that "AI is easy to use" and "effectively leveraging AI expands what you can accomplish."

Did "KEY RING," developed with the vision of "creating an AI platform anyone can easily use," pique your interest? Why not start by visiting the site? Browse the various AI modules and use cases, and consider how they might fit your company's needs or be directly applicable to your own operations. Boosting productivity through AI can enhance your company's competitiveness.

This time, Mr. Yamada introduced the basic features of "KEY RING." In the Transformation SHOWCASE, we will continue to showcase AI solution examples built using "KEY RING." We encourage you to read those articles as well.