Establishing an external AI centre with the BOT engagement model
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic for some time now, and it’s natural that more and more companies are eager to take advantage of its capabilities in their organisations and projects. Gartner reports that 59% of CEOs see AI as the technology that will impact their industries most in the coming years. And PwC predicts that this innovation can contribute as much as $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
Source: How Your CEO Is Thinking About AI
Given these figures and knowing how leveraging AI can help run businesses, it’s no wonder that you also don’t want to miss out on this opportunity and consider setting up an AI centre. So, you may be torn between building in-house or outsourcing. But what if we told you that you can combine the best features of both worlds?
In this article, we cover the unmatched advantages of the BOT engagement model for AI ventures and how it allows you to quickly assemble an experienced team while developing internal AI-related strategic resources.
Source: Execs double down on AI
Approaches to creating your own AI centre
Investing in setting up an AI centre involves a series of decisions. A key strategic choice for companies looking to boost their innovation and gain a competitive edge is whether to form an in-house AI team from scratch or to outsource the AI development to an external technology partner. The optimal strategy often depends on the company’s project needs and business goals.
Outsourcing an AI centre allows companies to quickly assemble an experienced team to scale business operations and accelerate time-to-market. It can also reduce costs while maintaining a high quality of service. This makes it a better option for organisations that want to quickly start or expand AI operations without overspending. In turn, building an in-house AI team helps companies develop internal expertise, maintain strategic knowledge, and keep critical resources and intellectual assets within the company’s structure.
Find out what characterises both an outsourced AI hub and an in-house AI development team >>
Both in-house teams and external partnerships have their respective merits, making the choice even more challenging. However, with the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) collaboration model, you don’t have to make that decision nor opt for only one approach. This engagement model combines the best aspects of both strategies. It offers easy access to AI experts and enhanced scaling opportunities while laying the foundation for developing internal talent and resources, as well as building long-term AI capabilities.
BOT model for AI centre outsourcing
Build-Operate-Transfer is a collaboration model that allows you to quickly scale your AI operational capabilities by providing easy access to a nearshore or offshore team of skilled development experts. It offers a flexible approach to outsourcing, allowing you to effectively expand your operational reach while maintaining control over all processes, resources, intellectual property, and business operations.
In this engagement model, working with a nearshore or offshore business partner can help you establish an AI software delivery centre overseas. That means hiring new employees in multiple locations, setting up a team and aligning all relevant processes between the team and the organisation. And then, when the team is fully operational, transferring them to your structure, therefore boosting your company’s in-house AI capabilities.
Phases of collaboration in the BOT model
Build
In the first stage, the external partner sets up the AI centre, recruits the necessary talent, and establishes the required infrastructure. This phase ensures that the AI hub is tailored to the specific needs of your business and that the team works in line with your best practices, communication frameworks, and internal processes.
More so, from the very start of the collaboration, an experienced technology partner and their skilled team can bring more innovation and best-in-class software development standards to your company. They also provide opportunities to expand your organisation’s knowledge base and support the upskilling of your employees in the AI field.
Operate
The next stage is the core of the BOT model and includes proceeding with the execution and management of the daily activities related to your AI centre and its projects. This phase involves expanding the team if needed and implementing processes to enhance technical abilities and business maturity. The Operate stage focuses on achieving stability and a fully functional and operational development process. It also prepares the groundwork for a smooth transition to the Transfer stage.
Transfer
During the Transfer phase, all resources, ownership, and overall management of the AI hub are gradually transferred to your company. This is the moment when, after a thorough review, the teams that worked on the project are now employed by your organisation. A successful collaboration through the previous stages ensures that this phase also goes well, providing a smooth transfer of resources and making sure that the internal team is fully prepared to continue AI initiatives.
Benefits of setting up an AI centre in the BOT model
Outsourcing AI delivery centres under the BOT collaboration model is a strategic approach that will help you harness the power of AI without the associated risks and high costs. This model offers many benefits, making it an excellent option for businesses seeking to innovate efficiently and effectively. Some of these benefits are:
Quick setup of AI centre with full IP assurance
Building an in-house AI centre is timely and complex. The BOT model streamlines that process by utilising your partner’s experts and infrastructure. The external provider manages your AI team until it’s fully operational and ready for the transfer stage. This approach allows you to develop AI solutions in line with best practices and with complete assurance that the intellectual property will stay within your organisation.
Easy access to top AI experts at a reasonable price
Using the BOT model to outsource AI centres guarantees easy access to a large group of skilled professionals. Partnering with specialised providers placed in many locations will allow you to tap into a vast talent pool without facing the direct costs of hiring. With nearshore or offshore cooperation, you can easily increase the number of available candidates, even for the most crucial positions.
Cost transparency
Operating under the BOT model enables cost transparency and full awareness of future expenses. Outsourcing companies, like Spyrosoft, provide a detailed open book of costs associated with building a dedicated AI delivery centre. This approach lets your company overview and forecast all financial elements, and then make informed decisions and investments.
Alignment with the company’s culture
A successful AI hub setup requires good understanding and alignment between both parties. The BOT model entails sharing best practices and processes across teams from the start, keeping your company culture and preferred ways of working intact. This approach eases the transfer stage, saves time on onboarding, and ensures a smooth integration.
Over to you
Setting up an AI development centre can be a major step toward driving innovation and gaining a competitive edge. While in-house and outsourced approaches have their advantages, the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model offers a hybrid option that combines the strengths of both.
By partnering in BOT with Spyrosoft, you can quickly assemble a skilled AI team, ensure smooth operation and transition, and seamlessly integrate all relevant resources into your structure. With this approach and our expertise, you can harness AI technologies, efficiently scale your organisation, and adapt to the ever-evolving business landscape.
So, see for yourself if BOT will be a good model for your project. Contact our experts for more information and consultation regarding the best way of collaborating to build an AI centre and grow your capabilities in this field.
About the author
Daniel Zaborowski
Director of BOT
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