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May 22, 2024
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Empowering Container Deployment with Azure AI Cognitive Services

Imagine your applications empowered to interpret visual content using advanced visualization services, or systems effortlessly transcribing speech, producing realistic voices, and translating languages seamlessly in real time. Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services opens up a world of possibilities, helping organizations elevate their applications to higher levels of intelligence and functionality. In this article, we’ll observe how Azure AI Cognitive Services improves operational efficiency within containerized deployments, provide use cases, and walk you through key steps required for deploying Azure Cognitive Services within containers on Azure platforms, such as Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and Azure Container Instances (ACI).

What is containerization? 

Containerization is a powerful method for software distribution, where applications or services are packaged into container images containing all their dependencies and configurations. These container images can then be effortlessly deployed on container nodes with minimal or no modification. 

Why use container deployment? 

The beauty of containers lies in their ability to operate independently from each other and from the underlying operating system, thus conserving resources compared to traditional VMs (Virtual Machines).  Moreover, containers designed for short-term tasks can be swiftly created from container images and disposed of when they've served their purpose. It’s no wonder that containerized applications have gained traction among DevOps teams and organizations steering away from traditional monolithic development approaches. They seamlessly integrate with continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) processes and tools.  Moreover, container technology aligns perfectly with distributed or heterogeneous infrastructure setups, such as multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments. 

Advantages of container deployment with Azure AI Cognitive Services

Let's dig into the capabilities and advantages that Azure AI containerization brings.

  • Data control

Data control becomes crucial when you can't transfer data to the cloud but still require access to Azure AI service APIs. Containerization supports consistency in hybrid environments, encompassing data, management, identity, and security.

  • Consistent infrastructure

DevOps teams can harness a consistent and dependable set of system parameters, adapting seamlessly to changes. Containers offer unparalleled flexibility and mobility within a predictable ecosystem, sparing the hassle of frequent reconfigurations.

  • Model update control

With Azure AI containers, developers may enjoy the freedom to manage versions and update models as needed within your solutions.

  • Portable architecture

Now developers can build applications with a portable architecture that seamlessly transitions from the cloud to on-premises environments or even edge devices. Containers can be deployed in Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Container Instances, or within Kubernetes clusters deployed in Azure Stack. 

  • High throughput or low latency

Positioning Azure AI services in close proximity to application logic and data allow higher scalability for businesses to meet rigorous demands for high throughput and low latency. Containers don't cap transactions per second (TPS), and they can scale up or down on demand, ensuring the provision of necessary hardware resources.

  • Scalability

Leveraging scalable cluster environments elevates application development to new heights of capability.

Key services within Azure AI Cognitive Services

To truly grasp the power of Azure AI Cognitive Services, it’s important to understand the wide range of categories that it offers. Below are some key examples.

  • Computer vision

Azure's Computer Vision service can analyze images and videos, performing tasks like identifying objects, classifying images, and extracting text from pictures using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). 

  • Face recognition

This service helps detect faces, recognize individuals, and analyze facial attributes and emotion. However, it is not just about identifying faces; it's about understanding the nuances of human expression and interaction.

  • Custom vision 

This category allows developers to create tailored image classifiers. Whether it's identifying unique objects in medical images or categorizing specific features in retail photos, Custom Vision empowers you to build custom models that fit your precise use cases.

  • Speech

Azure's Speech services transform how applications interact with spoken language. Speech to Text (Speech Recognition) converts spoken words into text, enabling applications to transcribe audio content accurately. Text to Speech, on the other hand, takes written text and turns it into natural-sounding speech, supporting multiple languages and voices.

  • Speaker recognition 

This one adds another layer of intelligence by verifying individuals based on their voice characteristics. It empowers the applications with the ability to recognize voices, enhancing security and personalization.

  • Language 

Text Analytics processes unstructured text data, extracting insights like sentiment analysis, key phrases, and language detection. 

  • Translation

The Translator service enables real-time translation of text and speech across different languages. 

  • Language Understanding (LUIS)

This service takes it a step further by enabling applications to comprehend natural language input, extracting intents and entities. This is the foundation of conversational AI, allowing applications to engage in meaningful dialogue with users.

  • Decision services

Anomaly Detector identifies irregular patterns and anomalies within time-series data. This capability is crucial for predictive maintenance, fraud detection, and anomaly monitoring in various industries.

Integrating Azure Cognitive Services: 4 steps

Integrating Azure Cognitive Services with containerized applications on Azure requires setting up, managing, and orchestrating containers effectively. Azure offers robust tools and services to facilitate this process, particularly using Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) or Azure Container Instances (ACI).  Below, we’ll walk you through the key steps to deploy Azure Cognitive Services within containers on these platforms.

Step 1. Container setup with Docker

Begin by creating a Docker container that will host the Azure Cognitive Services. This involves setting up a Dockerfile that specifies the environment your application needs, from the operating system to specific libraries and security configurations.

Step 2. Deployment options

  • Azure Container Instances (ACI)
This option is best for lightweight workloads that need to be spun up quickly and retired equally as fast. ACI is an excellent choice for scenarios where you need to deploy an isolated container without orchestration.
  • Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
For applications requiring complex orchestration, AKS provides robust management of containerized applications. It handles everything from automatic scaling and updates to health monitoring.

Step 3. Configuring the containers

Inject necessary configurations such as API keys and endpoints through environment variables securely. This ensures your containerized Azure Cognitive Services can communicate securely and effectively with your applications.

Step 4. Monitoring and scaling

Use tools like Azure Monitor and Azure Log Analytics to track the performance and health of your containers. Monitoring is crucial for proactive management and scaling based on traffic and load changes.

3 use cases of Azure AI Cognitive Services in containerized deployments

Real-world examples of organizations leveraging Azure AI Cognitive Services in containerized deployments showcase the practical application and benefits of combining AI capabilities with containerization.  Here are a few notable examples.

  • Use case 1. Shipping

Shipping companies may use Azure Cognitive Services within containerized deployments to optimize logistics and enhance operational efficiency. By integrating Computer Vision into their container handling processes, they automatically inspect and track containers using AI-powered image recognition. 

  • Use case 2. Banking and finance

Financial institutions leverage Azure Cognitive Services in containerized environments to enhance fraud detection and customer service. For instance, banks deploy Speech to Text and Text Analytics services within containers to transcribe customer calls and analyze text data for detecting suspicious activities or sentiment analysis.

  • Use case 3. Healthcare

Healthcare providers adopt Azure Cognitive Services to improve patient care and diagnostic accuracy. For example, telemedicine platforms deploy Speech to Text and Language Understanding services within containers to transcribe doctor-patient interactions and extract relevant medical information. This helps automate medical note-taking and supports better clinical decision-making.

To sum it up

In this article, we’ve observed how Azure AI Cognitive Services help improve operational efficiency within containerized deployments, provided use cases and walked you through key steps required to deploy Azure Cognitive Services within containers on Azure platforms. Azure Cognitive Services is a powerful tool that can help your business stay competitive while constantly improving operational efficiency. At Kanda, we understand that every business has its own unique needs and challenges, so we collaborate closely with our partners to thoroughly analyze their specific problems and requirements.  Whether you need assistance in the initial planning stages or require support to seamlessly integrate complex solutions like Azure Cognitive Services into your systems, Kanda is here to provide the expertise and flexibility you need to succeed. Contact us today for a tailored solution!

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