How to choose the best AI models, frameworks, and tools?

Hey there!

If you're just starting with integrating AI into your app, you'll find yourself choosing from a long list of models, frameworks, and tools.

It can be overwhelming, especially with all the buzzwords flying around. But you need to add AI features now before the competition does, right?

Today, I'm going to share with you five critical questions that you must ask yourself to make the right choice for your business and save both money and time! Before we get to the questions, there are a few things that you absolutely need to know.

Check out the video below 👇👇👇

First: Not all AI models are created equal

Keep in mind that there are other options beyond the most famous large language models (LLMs) like GPT, Gemini, and Claude. Depending on your use case, you might be just fine with a smaller, faster LLM that costs significantly less. This is just a reminder that there are plenty of LLMs out there.

Second: Frameworks are dependencies

If a framework is a dependency, should you consider one like LangChain? Well, it depends. If you choose to go for a framework, keep in mind that your app is going to rely on third-party tools and software. This could save you lots of time, but since these tools are built to serve the masses and for general use cases, you might find that customizing these frameworks isn't as easy as setting them up.

Third: The future of business is agentic

Businesses are moving towards "agentic" AI - going beyond automation to intelligent problem-solving agents. Imagine an AI that researches trips, books hotels, and even interacts with other AIs! Frameworks like AutoGen and crewAI make building multi-agent applications faster and easier.

Here are the questions that you MUST ask yourself:

1. What am I building exactly?

Is it a chatbot, a search engine, or something more complicated like a multi-agent RAG system, perhaps? Answering the "what" as accurately as possible sets the foundation. The scope guides decisions and ensures everyone is on the same boat—unless you're working by yourself, then it's just you on a boat alone.

2. Why do I need AI in the first place?

Am I looking to add this because it's trending now? Maybe I want to increase my revenue, or is it a core business requirement? Meaning, does it impact customer satisfaction directly? If that's the case, it's important to consider the speed of the large language model and whether your users will be satisfied with it, not to mention the extra price tag that your users have to pay. Also, do you really need AI for this, or could you achieve the same results using traditional methods?

3. What is my budget?

Unless you're super-duper rich, you're probably on a budget—and a pretty tight one. So maybe GPT-4 isn't a great option for you. Consider fine-tuning and optimizing prompts since strategies like these could save you a few bucks here and there. Remember, you have to factor in all of the services and tools you're using to come up with a cost estimate that works with your budget.

4. How much time do I have? 🕐

Do I have all the time in the world, or do I need to ship this ASAP, like yesterday? You may want to consider using frameworks here to cut development time and resources. However, not all frameworks are created equal. Choose the one based on what you need.

5. What kind of information am I processing?

AI can process anything from your browsing history and financial records to medical data, raising privacy concerns with your users. So make sure you store user data properly and handle it as necessary. It all depends on what you're doing.

Conclusion

By asking yourself these questions, you'll ensure that you're not overusing frameworks or capabilities that your app does not necessarily require.

I'd love to know in the comments below what you're working on and which frameworks and models you've chosen for your application.

Cheers!