Chinese internet giant Baidu released ‘EZDL’ on September 1. EZDL allows businesses to create and deploy AI and machine learning models without any prior coding skills. With a simple drag-and-drop interface, it takes only four steps to train a deep learning model that’s built specifically for a business’ needs. This is particularly good news for small and medium sized businesses for whom leveraging artificial intelligence might ordinarily prove challenging. Youping Yu, general manager of Baidu’s AI ecosystem division, claims that EZDL will allow everyone to access AI “in the most convenient and equitable way”.
How does EZDL work?
EZDL focuses on three important aspects of machine learning: image classification, sound classification, and object detection.
One of the most notable features about EZDL is the small size of the training data sets required to create artificial intelligence models.
- For image classification and object recognition, it requires just 20 to 100 images per label. For sound classification, it needs only 50 audio files at the most. The training can be completed in just 15 minutes in some cases, or a maximum of one hour for more complex models.
- After a model has been trained, the algorithm can be downloaded as a SDK or uploaded into a public or private cloud platform.
The algorithms created support a range of operating systems, including Android and iOS. Baidu also claims an accuracy of more than 90 percent in two-thirds of the models it creates.
How EZDL is already being used by businesses
Baidu has demonstrated many use cases for EZDL. For example:
- A home decorating website called ‘Idcool’ uses EZDL to train systems that automatically identify the design and style of a room with 90 percent accuracy.
- An unnamed medical institution is using EZDL to develop a detection model for blood testing.
- A security monitoring firm used it to make a sound-detecting algorithm that can recognize “abnormal” audio patterns that might signal a break-in.
Baidu is clearly making its mark in the AI race. This latest release follows the launch of its Baidu Brain platform for enterprises two years ago. Baidu Brain is already used by more than 600,000 developers. Another AI service launched by the company is its conversational DuerOS digital assistant, which is installed on more than 100 million devices.
As if all that weren’t enough, Baidu has also been developing hardware for artificial intelligence systems in the form of its Kunlun chip, designed for edge computing and data center processing – it’s slated for launch later this year.
Baidu will demo EZDL at TechCrunch Disrupt SF, September 5th to 7th at Moscone West, 800 Howard St., San Francisco.
For more on EZDL visit the Baidu’s website for the project.
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