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In the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence, domain-specific generative AI is emerging as a pivotal force shaping the future of enterprises. These specialized language models, tailored to specific industries and applications, are poised to revolutionize business processes and user experiences. In this blog, we'll delve into the transformative potential of domain-specific generative AI, with a particular focus on the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) domain.

Unlocking the power of domain-specific generative AI

Foundational generative AI models like ChatGPT, Dall-E, and Bard have dazzled us with their versatility and creative capabilities. However, the true power of these models comes to light when they are customized for specific domains. Domain-specific generative AI models are designed to excel in tasks and scenarios dictated by the unique requirements of an industry. Unlike their generic counterparts, these models possess a profound understanding of industry-specific terminology, context, and nuances, making them indispensable tools for enterprises.

The ESG domain: A compelling use case

One area where domain-specific generative AI is set to make a profound impact is in the ESG domain. ESG considerations have become paramount for businesses seeking sustainable and responsible practices. As organizations strive to meet their ESG goals, domain-specific generative AI models will play a critical role in enhancing ESG-related processes.

Outperforming generic models for domain-specific queries 

What sets domain-specific generative AI apart is its ability to outperform generic models when applied to industry-specific tasks. Briink, for example, has been able to demonstrate significant improvement (over +30% already in some cases) on ESG-specific queries vs. generic applications like chatGPT or ChatPDF. This remarkable leap in performance transforms the landscape for ESG enterprises, ensuring higher accuracy and reliability in their operations.

Enhancing user experiences and streamlining ESG workflows

However, domain-specific generative AI goes beyond performance improvements. It is driving the creation of domain-specific agents and chains that elevate user experiences and streamline end-to-end ESG workflows. Take our ESG Questionnaire Assistant as an example. Powered by these domain-specific models, it simplifies and automates ESG data collection for due diligence and reporting, ensuring high precision, efficiency, and user satisfaction.

Domain-specific agents, in the context of ESG or any other domain, are designed to piece together different parts of intricate workflows seamlessly. These agents are specialized in understanding the unique jargon, context, and intricacies of the specific industry or use case they serve. This specialized knowledge allows them to orchestrate tasks and processes within their respective domains efficiently.

The ESG Questionnaire Assistant helps ESG teams in asset management, procurement, and consulting, for example, navigate the complex landscape of ESG due diligence with the support of AI. From start to finish, this assistant leverages the capabilities of domain-specific generative AI to answer ESG questionnaires comprehensively. It can source information from various documents, analyze it, and generate accurate, context-aware responses. This end-to-end automation not only saves time but also enhances the quality and consistency of ESG due diligence, benefiting both enterprises and the broader ESG ecosystem.

Boosting efficiency and productivity

Efficiency and productivity are essential for ESG enterprises looking to make a meaningful impact. Domain-specific generative AI models are here to help. By automating tasks and generating content aligned with industry-specific terminology, these models streamline operations, saving valuable human resources for more strategic work. In the ESG sector, this translates to faster and more accurate sustainability due diligence and reporting, making it easier for investors to identify sustainable assets and for companies to demonstrate their sustainability credentials. 

Reducing the risk of hallucinations

One of the key challenges with generic models is the potential for generating incorrect information or hallucinations. Domain-specific generative AI models mitigate this risk by focusing their expertise on specific industries or use cases. By narrowing their scope, they prioritize accuracy and reliability in their responses. In ESG, this translates to delivering precise and trustworthy information, reducing the risk of inaccuracies in sustainability reporting or environmental impact assessments.

Challenges and considerations for enterprises

While the promise of domain-specific generative AI is enticing, there are important considerations for enterprises. Gathering large and diverse domain-specific datasets for training can be challenging, especially in industries with limited or sensitive data. Collaboration with industry partners and regulatory bodies can facilitate data sharing while ensuring privacy and security.

Additionally, interpretability and explainability are vital as these models become more complex. Continuous research and development are necessary to refine their accuracy, relevance, and adaptability for enterprises.

A glimpse into the future

The future of generative AI for enterprise is evolving into a dynamic landscape that combines generic and domain-specific applications. Generic applications, such as general-purpose productivity software for word processing, email, calendaring, spreadsheets, and presentations, will be dominated by industry giants like Microsoft, Google, Apple, and OpenAI, powered by models like GPT 4, Bard, and more.

Simultaneously, domain-specific applications tailored to the unique needs of specific industries will be served by specialized providers like Briink (ESG), Clio (Legal), Vanta (Compliance), Capitola (Insurance), and others. These applications will be underpinned by a combination of generic models from the industry giants, industry-specific models developed by new players such as Briink’s partner nyonic, and proprietary orchestration layers built by the specialist providers leveraging combinations of retrieval augmented generation, model fine-tuning, prompt engineering, multi-modal agents and a range of other new techniques that are currently being invented. 

This two-pronged approach ensures that enterprises benefit from both the versatility of generic applications and the precision of domain-specific solutions. It's a path toward a future where AI augments and amplifies human capabilities, empowering businesses to achieve new heights of excellence. As enterprises recognize the value of domain-specific generative AI, the demand for these applications will likely skyrocket. 

By embracing this technology, businesses can enhance operations across various industries, achieve increased efficiency and innovation, and provide superior user experiences. This journey requires collective efforts, collaboration, and a commitment to ethical AI development, empowering enterprises and elevating end-user experiences.

Some helpful additional reading materials:  

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-niche-rise-specialized-generative-ai-models-ringer-sciences/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/07/20/the-power-of-domain-specific-llms-in-generative-ai-for-enterprises/ 

https://kili-technology.com/large-language-models-llms/building-domain-specific-llms-examples-and-techniques