The increasing need for AI implementation at the edge is driving companies to seek quicker and simpler methods of deploying models on real-world devices. In response to this challenge, Accenture has invested in CLIKA, a startup specializing in developing a high-performance platform for compressing AI models.
Many organizations are prioritizing Edge AI, but face their own set of challenges. Deploying models to devices like phones, industrial machinery, or cars often requires specialized hardware and complex deployment processes. CLIKA’s platform addresses these obstacles by providing enterprises with a unified system that simplifies the preparation and execution of AI models on various devices, ranging from low-power IoT sensors to autonomous vehicles.
The collaboration between Accenture and CLIKA aims to deliver enterprise-ready solutions that enable efficient and compact AI deployment at the edge. The goal is to assist clients in scaling their deployments while ensuring security and practicality across industries such as manufacturing, telecommunications, and consumer technology.
Raj Wickramasinghe, the global lead for Infrastructure Engineering at Accenture, emphasized the significance of edge computing in the AI lifecycle. He highlighted the need for seamless intelligence at the edge and expressed confidence in CLIKA’s technology enabling intelligent models to operate on devices not initially designed for AI, thereby enhancing efficiency and precision.
CLIKA’s platform is centered around its software development kit (SDK), which automatically compresses and optimizes AI models for various types of hardware, including CPUs and low-power processors. Each deployment is tailored to its environment, providing users with speed and accuracy without lengthy manual processes. The collaboration strengthens Accenture’s efforts in constructing modern AI infrastructure and expands CLIKA’s global reach.
Nayul Lina Kim, co-founder and CEO of CLIKA, underscored the belief that powerful AI should be accessible on everyday devices. The collaboration with Accenture Ventures enables them to realize this vision by offering enterprises a seamless and efficient method for deploying AI in real-world, real-time scenarios for maximum impact.
Tom Lounibos, the global leader of Accenture Ventures, emphasized the need for faster, simpler, and smarter AI deployment in response to the rapid growth and complexity of AI technologies. The investment in CLIKA provides strategic market access to enterprise clients, facilitating the deployment of advanced models at the edge and ensuring intelligence is utilized where it matters most.
Additionally, CLIKA will join Project Spotlight, Accenture Ventures’ accelerator program for AI and data startups, connecting them with Accenture’s industry expertise and enterprise clients to validate their ideas at scale.
The specific financial details of the investment were not disclosed.
(Photo by Rock Staar)
See also: Intel Corporation plans to spin off Network and Edge business
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