AI’s future lies in a unified experience where the backend determines which model is most appropriate. This allows users to leverage powerful AI without needing to understand the intricacies of different algorithms or technologies.
AI will transform our use of technology in the same way cloud computing was a paradigm shift for software in general. Companies and end-users across nearly every industry vertical benefit, but who stands to win the most?
We spoke with Anu Karuparti, Sr. Cloud Solution Architect of Data & AI at Microsoft, and author of Generative AI for Cloud Solutions: Architect modern AI LLMs in secure, scalable, and ethical cloud environments, to discuss what breakthroughs could be expected for decision makers across industries.
Democratization of models: With OpenAI revealing new models that go for a unified model experience, Karuparti sees this as a democratization for all users. "I'm an AI professional, I do this every day. I know every major model, when to use them, and for what types of questions. But for non-technical users, the specifics of which model is best for their task doesn’t matter. They just want to solve their problem," he explains. "AI’s future lies in a unified experience where the backend determines which model is most appropriate. This allows users to leverage powerful AI without needing to understand the intricacies of different algorithms or technologies."
If more companies adopt and contribute to open source, smaller players will have more opportunities to compete with larger ones.
Open source advantage: Karuparti points out that open-source models can allow smaller companies to access cutting-edge technology. "If more companies adopt and contribute to open source, smaller players will have more opportunities to compete with larger ones," he says. For now, the big players in cloud services and enterprise software have a distinct advantage, namely their talent pool and advantages as industry leaders, but Karuparti says we will have to see how the future plays out to see who ends up ahead.
Knowledge worker transformation: AI is set to revolutionize work in ways that go beyond mere automation. "Knowledge work is going through a major transformation," says Karuparti. "We’ve seen significant advancements in reasoning models, particularly with products like OpenAI’s latest tools and Google’s Gemini, which includes Deep Research. These developments are not widely known yet, but once they go mainstream, they will have a massive impact on the productivity of knowledge workers, particularly consultants. These tools will help professionals analyze data faster, generate more intelligent insights, and ultimately become more efficient and productive." Karuparti notes that the pace of transformation has been staggering, with major breakthroughs appearing every few months since the launch of ChatGPT.
Red teaming: As AI continues to advance, ensuring its safety and ethical use within companies is paramount. Karuparti discusses the concept of ‘red teaming,’ where AI models are rigorously tested to identify potential vulnerabilities. "At Microsoft, we take responsibility seriously. Our Azure Content Safety product helps build guardrails around AI models, ensuring safe and ethical use," he shares. "This proactive research identifies potential risks and helps prevent unsafe outputs, creating a safer user experience and minimizing the risk of harmful content or AI misuse."
