What is an AI API?
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a mechanism (interface) that enables sharing of software and program functions.Some of our software and programs are published to enable sharing of functions with other software.
Since it is provided by HTTP, which is used for sending and receiving content, it has high versatility and is also called Web API because it is mainly used for communication on the Web.
Six benefits of using AI APIs
There are six main advantages of using AI APIs: efficient service development, improved convenience for users using data from other companies, ease of service development, improved security levels, and ease of building services using AI. That’s it.
Both benefits will be useful in developing and providing services that incorporate AI. Let’s take a look at the specifics and understand how the API can help you.
Advantage 1 of using AI API: Efficient service development
The first advantage of using AI APIs is the ability to efficiently develop services.Programming and advanced processing can be omitted by using an API that has already released the program necessary for the company from existing services.
Since it is possible to start development without creating a program from scratch, the hurdles for development are lowered and the development time is shortened.
Advantage of using AI API 2: Data from other companies can be used
The second advantage of using AI APIs is the ability to use data from other companies.You can get the latest information from other companies’ sites and services by requesting information through the API.
The acquired information will be like marketing data, so it will be useful for adding new functions to your company’s site or app depending on how you use it.
Advantage 3 of using AI API: Improved user convenience
The third advantage of using AI APIs is the improvement of user convenience.APIs can link your company’s services with those of other companies, so you can implement the functions you need to provide your services.
An example is a hotel and a ride-hailing app. By linking the functions of the hotel app and the ride-hailing app, users will be more convenient when heading to hotels and sightseeing spots.
Advantage 4 of using AI APIs: Easier to develop services
The fourth benefit of using AI APIs is that it makes service development easier.Since the required programs use published APIs, development becomes efficient, reducing development time and costs.
In addition, many of the APIs are free, and it is easy to develop and manage because it may be possible to reduce the load by automating bug fixes and system operations.
Advantage 5 of using AI API: Increased security level
The fifth advantage of using AI APIs is the increased security level. By using the API of the linked service, you can log in with the corresponding account at the time of login authentication.
The mechanism that allows you to log in with an account such as SNS at the time of member registration is based on API, and rather than creating a member registration function in-house, the account function created by a major web service company has higher security, so it is difficult to build. It’s easier and more reliable.
Advantage of using AI API 6: Easier to build services using AI
The sixth advantage of using AI APIs is that it makes it easier to build services using AI.Using published APIs from existing services eliminates the need to develop from scratch, making it easier to build systems and services.
Since it is easy to link with external services, it is easy to expand the service, so it will be possible to provide a variety of services without having a lot of knowledge or technology.
4 AI cloud API services
There is also a cloud in the provision form of API. You can easily use the functions on the platform side, and operations such as server creation, resource change and deletion, server start and stop, and storage allocation are provided.
There are several cloud API services, but the most famous ones are provided by major companies such as IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.
AI Cloud API Service 1: IBM Cloud “Watson API”
The first cloud API service for AI is Watson API.AI services and tools provided by IBM, including tools for managing and monitoring API functions and AI models.
A cognitive environment can be maintained for the company that uses it, a stable system that can be expanded without an AI engineer is maintained, and various changes are possible when used within the system being used, and algorithms are derived from business data. Learn efficiently.
AI Cloud API Service 2: Microsoft Azure “Cognitive Services”
The second cloud API service for AI is Cognitive Services.It is a cloud-based service that includes the REST API series and client library SDK, so you can build without knowledge or technology of AI or data science.
This catalog of AI services includes vision, voice, language, search, and decision making it easy to add cognitive capabilities to your apps.
AI Cloud API Service 3: AWS (Amazon Web Services) “AI Service”
Cloud API services for AI The third is AWS AI services. AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a globally adopted cloud platform that provides over 175 functions from data centers in various countries.
There are many types of services, including AI-related services such as machine learning, and by using AI services together with other functions, you can build and migrate faster and more easily at low cost.
AI Cloud API Service 4: Google Cloud (GCP) “AI Building Blocks”
The fourth cloud API service for AI is AI building blocks.With the API provided by Google, you can use the functions of specific Google apps in the apps and services of other companies.
For example, with the Google Calendar API, each function of Google Calendar can be displayed on a website or application, and when you enter holidays and event days in the calendar, it will be reflected on the site as it is.
8 functions of cloud API
Cloud API has several functions.It has 8 main features: dialogue, text, visual, structured data, speech, recommendations, translation, and more.
Even with the same API, different functions are incorporated depending on the provider, so it is important to think about what functions your company needs while understanding the functions. Let’s check what the contents are.
Cloud API Feature 1: Conversations
The first feature of Cloud API is Conversation.Conversation APIs include chatbots and messaging.
The chatbot API is the main body of the chatbot, and conversations can be assembled by registering words and answer data. The messaging API connects SNS and chatbots, and is necessary when using chatbots on SNS. Twitter, Facebook, LINE, and slack are the mainstream.
Cloud API Feature 2: Text (NLP)
The second function of the cloud API is text (NLP).NLP (Natural Language Processing) stands for Natural Language Processing, which is the ability to analyze and interpret text documents.
There is also a custom text analysis that allows you to assemble the text to be analyzed and interpreted according to your needs, and if the NLP of the original AI service does not match your company’s needs, try using the custom text analysis.
Cloud API Feature 3: Entitlement Verification
The third function of the cloud API is visual confirmation.The analysis performed by visual confirmation is divided into images and videos.
Image analysis is a high-dimensional solution that specializes in faces such as face recognition (emotion analysis) as a basic function, and video analysis identifies objects, places, behaviors, products, types of animals, etc. There are functions such as doing, and both also have custom types.
Cloud API Feature 4: Structured Data
The fourth feature of cloud APIs is structured data. Structured data (Structured date) is data organized in tabular form, and cloud API can use this structured data for regression (numerical prediction) and analysis.
Regression and classification of structured data involve AutoML (Automated ML), which stands for automated machine learning and can automatically select a learning model with the best features.
Cloud API Feature 5: Speech
The fifth function of the cloud API is speech.Speech functions fall into two categories: speech synthesis and recognition.
The main function of speech synthesis is to read the input text naturally, and the range and system that can be supported depends on the provider, but regarding speech recognition, the main function is to convert speech to text, and it can be handled in the same way as synthesis. Details such as range and language differ depending on the provider.
Cloud API Feature 6: Recommended
The sixth feature of the cloud API is recommendations.Recommendation (Recommendation) is a personalization function that allows you to recommend recommended products.
Personalized information can be provided to each user, some of them can be selected where to provide it, and products that suit individuals can be recommended, so you can appeal your company’s products and services and connect them to profits. It is also connected to the improvement of convenience that users feel.
Cloud API Feature 7: Translation
The seventh function of the cloud API is translation.The method of translation differs depending on the API, and there are mainly word-by-word type and HTML whole type.
With the HTML Marugoto Type, you can get the translation result just by sending an HTML document, and there are differences in the supported languages, so be sure to check before using it.
Cloud API Feature 8: Miscellaneous
Other cloud API functions include time-series data correlation analysis, document search, and web search.Document Search and Web Search are functions that allow users to build their own document search and Web search engines.
Correlation analysis of time-series data analyzes time-series data recorded over time, and through analysis, past trends and periodicity can be grasped, and the results are useful for predicting future fluctuations.
5 flows for using APIs with AI
The flow of using APIs in AI can be divided into five stages: going to the site that provides it, registering the application, obtaining and setting keys, etc., and implementing it.
Let’s understand the flow up to usage and incorporate APIs that interest you.
Flow for using API with AI 1: Go to the site that provides the API
When using an API with AI, first access the API provider’s website.
The procedure to start using the API can only be done from the provider site, so search for the API name you want to use and access it.
Flow for using API with AI 2: Register an app from the AIP site
Once you have access to the API provider’s site, register the information of the company’s application you want to link with.
The required information is the app name, app domain, callbacks, etc. Once you have completed these correct entries, your registration for use will be completed.
Flow 3 for using API with AI: Prepare AIP key and secret
After entering the information and completing the registration, an API key and secret will be issued.
The API key is also called the ID, and the secret is sometimes called the secret key. These passwords will be used when you use them, so please manage them with an emphasis on security.
Flow 4 for using APIs in AI: Set the acquired data in the app
Once you have your API key and secret, you can use the API in your own apps.
However, you cannot use it just by obtaining it, so please set the API key and secret in your own application.
Flow for using API in AI 5: Implementation
After completing the settings, implement the program as the final flow.
Some APIs do not require any knowledge or skills, but in some cases you may need to do your own programming. In that case, references and guides published for each API will be helpful.
Let’s create a convenient service using API with AI!
Many companies want to adopt AI because it will be a useful presence in web sites and services. However, if you start from scratch, the time and other costs overlap, so the introduction tends to be far away.
API is a convenient tool to avoid such situations, so let’s make use of it to create a convenient service for your company and users.
