Services
AI Development
Developing an AI solution: the real challenges
A technical integration "headache"
Traditional information systems. Existing infrastructures are often not ready to host AI solutions, leading to unexpected costs and delays. You need to know how to approach it.
Difficulty creating value from data. Large volumes of data, often necessary for artificial intelligence, are scattered across different systems and frequently in formats that are hard to exploit (e.g., PDFs). This complicates the development of AI solutions.
Continuous maintenance and optimization. Data can evolve over time, and so do AI models that learn from this data. Artificial intelligence that remains static and unmonitored can become ineffective over time and lose value for users.
A bill that rapidly adds up
Lack of expertise. Qualified profiles (data scientists, AI engineers) can be difficult to attract and retain, and can be expensive.
Complex infrastructure setup. Training AI models requires the interplay of multiple system components like APIs, servers, GPUs, and databases. Poor architecture can compromise the maintenance, security, and scalability of the solution.
Constantly evolving needs. An AI solution must be regularly updated to remain performant, generating hidden costs.
A promising technology, but underutilized
Pilot projects that lead nowhere. Companies invest in proofs of concept that do not deliver expected results. These prototypes are never deployed at scale.
Lack of alignment with business needs. AI initiatives often fail due to a lack of consideration for change management and poor coordination between technical and operational teams.
Slow internal learning curve. Even with open-source libraries, various AI approaches and models are often difficult to master, understand their pros and cons, and derive real benefit from.
Off-the-shelf or custom AI solution: the trap of easy choices
Ready-to-use solutions, but ill-suited
Lack of flexibility for specific needs. Major SaaS solutions integrating artificial intelligence offer little flexibility (even though on the surface "they seem to") to adapt to a unique and real context.
Inferior performance. Generic AI is very often less effective than AI developed for a specific task and context.
Vendor lock-in. Proprietary AI limits options for customization and solution scaling. It locks the company into a closed ecosystem.
Privacy and ethical risks
Protection of sensitive data. Several AI approaches require large amounts of confidential data, raising security and compliance issues.
Complex and evolving regulations. Navigating between the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Law 25, and other local standards and industry requirements complicates the deployment of AI solutions.
Algorithmic bias and opaque decision-making. AI developed without a proper understanding of its limits can produce discriminatory or hard-to-explain results. This issue compromises the quality and legitimacy of decisions made and poses organizational risk (both legal and reputational).
A lack of control that hinders innovation
Limited customization. Generic AI solutions do not always allow models to be fine-tuned according to a company's specifics.
Dependence on external updates. Model updates and evolution are controlled by the vendor, which can slow down internal innovation.
Hard-to-measure ROI. Without clear goals and appropriate metrics, the true impact of AI remains unclear, hindering team buy-in and long-term investment.
Baseline: your development partner for custom artificial intelligence
AI tailored to your specific needs
Custom development
Unlike generic solutions, we build AI systems tailored to your business goals and context, which can rely on existing or new solutions.
Autonomy and scalability
While we are always here to support you, our solutions aim to make you as autonomous as possible in improving and maintaining the solution.
Seamless integration with your systems
We ensure that AI integrates naturally with your existing IT solutions and infrastructure, without friction.
Deep expertise for optimal performance
Multidisciplinary AI and data science expertise
AI encompasses dozens of fields of expertise (natural language processing, operations research, computer vision). Each Baseline expert brings two to three specific areas of expertise to address your challenges in the best way possible.
Holistic approach
Our team of business analysts, software engineers, technical AI experts, and developers supports you from ideation to production deployment and maintenance.
Performance and robustness
We develop algorithms and data pipelines to guarantee the accuracy and reliability of AI model predictions.
Transparency and interpretability
Our solutions aim to move away from the "black box" approach and enable informed decision-making with interpretable AI models.
Security, compliance, and total control
Maximum data protection
Secure hosting and cybersecurity best practices to guarantee the confidentiality of your information.
Preserved intellectual property
You remain the owner of the models and data, without dependence on an external vendor.
Control
We give you the tools and training needed to operate your AI in complete independence.
Why choose Baseline?
Cutting-edge AI expertise
Our experts specialize in advanced algorithms and various AI approaches (deep and machine learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing, computer vision, etc.).
Experience across various sectors: finance and actuarial science, physics, administration, mining, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, transportation, and e-commerce.
End-to-end support
From design to production deployment, we provide complete technical oversight.
Agile methodology tailored to AI projects, with short sprints and regular releases.
Internal team training to maximize AI solution adoption and share knowledge.
Concrete and measurable results
Risk management. Prototyping and an incremental approach to reduce development risks.
Case studies and field feedback. Productivity gains, cost reduction.
Commitment to the performance of developed models.
Focus on short-term value generation, proactive technological risk management, and building sustainable competitive advantages.
Our AI development methodology
Developing a high-performing and sustainable AI solution cannot be improvised. At Baseline, we follow a structured and agile approach that puts you at the heart of the process.
Innovation Canvas
We study your reality, challenges, and objectives to co-build a business project with you that leverages the unique opportunities of artificial intelligence. By aligning business and technology visions right from the start, we avoid the trap of prioritizing technology without strategic alignment.
Project Specifications
We turn the initial idea from the canvas into concrete terms by identifying system requirements—both functional and non-functional—as well as the technical, regulatory, and organizational constraints affecting the system. We plan the application architecture and verify that the necessary data is accessible and sufficient.
Development Plan
The overall vision defined by the innovation canvas and specifications is broken down into a series of development phases designed to balance risk management with continuous delivery of high-value features.
Prototyping
Our prototyping phases aim to validate the technical AI approach and quickly adjust the project trajectory as needed. Our prototypes are usable and designed to provide the foundation around which the rest of the system will be built.
Application Development
The rest of the application is built around the AI prototype to provide users with the full set of requested features. These steps include integration with your existing systems (ERP, CRM, line-of-business tools, etc.). We use proven iterative and incremental software engineering methods that promote the construction of flexible, scalable systems.
Deployment
We make the features developed in previous steps available more broadly. System infrastructure is fortified, and observability and monitoring tools are implemented to quickly detect and resolve potential outages.
Training and Knowledge Transfer
We train your users and internal development teams on using, improving, and maintaining the AI solution. You gain autonomy through clear documentation and tailored support. And we are never far away if you need us.
Evolutionary Maintenance
We remain available post-deployment to guarantee the stability, security, and adaptability of your solution. As needed, we perform updates, integrate new features, and provide responsive technical support.
AI Solution Development - FAQ
What types of projects can be carried out with artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence offers a wide range of possibilities for companies in all sectors. Common projects we deliver at Baseline include :
Business process automation through machine learning.
Personalized recommendation systems for your clients.
Predictive analytics and forecasting to optimize your operations.
Natural language processing for document analysis and client feedback.
Computer vision systems for quality control or object recognition.
Custom chatbots and virtual assistants.
Fraud detection and intelligent security systems.
Optimization of production processes and supply chains.
Every project is unique and we adapt AI to your needs, whether it's improving client experience, optimizing your operations, or creating new products and services.
Why opt for a custom AI solution rather than off-the-shelf AI software?
Off-the-shelf AI solutions can seem appealing due to their speed of deployment, but they come with several limitations.
They are designed for generic needs rather than the specifics of your context.
Their integration with your existing systems is often expensive.
You have little control over the solution and its evolution.
Data often remains under the vendor's control with no ability to retrieve it.
A custom solution, on the other hand :
Delivers a high level of performance and accuracy.
Adapts to your processes, your tech stack, and your specific needs.
Gives you full control over the application, AI solution, and data.
Evolves with your business and needs.
Offers a competitive advantage that your competitors cannot simply buy.
At Baseline, we build custom solutions that maximize added value for your organization, with a typically higher long-term return on investment.
Can AI be trained on our own data?
Absolutely. Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on learning from data. Using your own data is essential to developing AI that is relevant to your project. Here is how we proceed :
We start with a data audit and AI application conceptualization phase. We set up collection and transformation processes that comply with privacy and security standards (GDPR, Law 25, etc.).
If needed, we enrich your data with external sources and generate synthetic data using artificial intelligence techniques.
We use this data to train models tailored to your context and deploy them in your tech environment.
We establish evaluation and monitoring mechanisms so the AI solution remains robust over time.
The result is an AI system that understands your industry, your clients, and your specific challenges, offering performance far superior to generic solutions. You remain the owner of your data and the developed models.
My company already uses business software; can AI be integrated into it?
Yes, integrating AI into your internal tools is entirely possible provided these systems can be queried. This is one of our specialties at Baseline.
What technologies and programming languages do you use to develop your AI solutions?
At Baseline, we select the technologies best suited to each project, prioritizing robust and scalable solutions. Our tech stack notably includes :
Languages. Python, R, Java, JavaScript.
AI and ML Frameworks. TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn, Hugging Face.
Big Data. Hadoop, Spark, Kafka.
Cloud. AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure.
Databases. SQL and NoSQL (MongoDB, Cassandra, Cosmos DB, etc.).
Visualization Tools. Tableau, Power BI, D3.js.
We stay up to date with the latest technological advancements and adapt our stack as the field evolves. Our goal is to offer you the most performant and sustainable solutions without limiting ourselves to a single technology.
How long does it take to develop an AI solution tailored to my business?
Development timeline varies based on project complexity, data availability, and the scope of integration required. A few benchmarks :
Simple and targeted projects. 1 to 2 months.
Medium complexity projects. 3 to 4 months.
Complex or large-scale projects. 6 to 18 months.
Our agile approach allows us to deliver results through successive iterations. You can generally start benefiting from the initial contributions of artificial intelligence long before the complete project finalization. We define a realistic schedule together during the initial phase and keep you informed of progress throughout development.
What is the average cost of an artificial intelligence development project?
The cost of an AI project varies depending on its complexity, the initial state of your data, and the required integrations. Talk to our experts to get a clearer idea.
Are there grants or subsidies available to finance an artificial intelligence project?
Yes, several programs exist to support innovation projects in Quebec.
Can my AI model become obsolete ? Do you offer follow-up support?
Evolving data over time, changes in data definitions, or environmental shifts can lead to AI model underperformance. However, it is rare for a model to become obsolete in the short term.
By establishing evaluation mechanisms, we are able to quickly detect these changes and make informed decisions.
Can you evolve the solution and handle its maintenance?
We can agree to integrate scalability and maintenance into your AI projects, notably :
Performance monitoring and necessary adjustments.
Model retraining with new data to maintain robustness.
Technology watch to identify potential improvements.
Support in evolving your AI system to adapt it to your company's changes.
Our goal is to establish a long-term partnership so that your AI investment remains relevant and continues to generate value over time. We offer several follow-up plans tailored to your needs and budget.