Smaller AI Models vs. Foundation Models: Who Wins?
Large foundation models have dominated public attention in artificial intelligence due to their broad capabilities, massive training datasets, and impressive performance across many tasks. However, a parallel shift is underway. Smaller, specialized AI models are increasingly competitive by focusing on efficiency, domain expertise, and practical deployment advantages. Rather than replacing foundation models, these compact systems are reshaping how organizations think about performance, cost, and real-world impact.What Characterizes Compact, Purpose-Built AI ModelsCompact, purpose-built models are created to address tightly defined objectives. They generally incorporate fewer parameters, draw on carefully curated training datasets, and concentrate on specific sectors or functions, spanning medical…
