Most of us have been using AI modules which for the most part are trained on consumer-focused language. Zoho for the past several years has been building AI capabilities, focused on business, in ZIA (Zoho Intelligent Assistant). With the fast evolution and adoption of AI, Zoho is also quickly adapting. In a newly announced partnership with NVIDIA, Zoho will continue to invest in NVIDIA to power Zoho’s own more business focused AI language learning module (LLM).

Over the past year, Zoho has invested more than USD 10 million in NVIDIA’s AI technology and GPUs, and plans to invest an additional USD 10 million in the coming year.

Many  LLMs on the market today are designed for consumer use, offering limited value for businesses. At Zoho, our mission is to develop LLMs tailored specifically for a wide range of business use cases. Owning our entire tech stack, with products spanning various business functions, allows us to integrate the essential element that makes AI truly effective: context.

Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, Director of AI at Zoho Corporation

Privacy

Zoho prioritizes user privacy from the outset to create models that are compliant with privacy regulations from the ground up, rather than retrofitting them later. Its goal is to help businesses realize ROI swiftly and effectively by leveraging the full stack of NVIDIA AI software and accelerated computing to increase throughput and reduce latency.

The Zoho AI Way

Zoho has been building its own AI technology for over a decade and adding it contextually to its wide portfolio of over 100 products across its ManageEngine and Zoho divisions. Its approach to AI is multi-modal, geared towards deriving contextual intelligence that can help users make business decisions. The company is building narrow, small and medium language models, which are distinct from LLMs. This provides options for using different size models in order to provide better results across a variety of use cases. Relying on multiple models also means that businesses that do not have a large amount of data can still benefit from AI. Privacy is also a core tenet in Zoho’s AI strategy, and its LLM models will not be trained on customer data.

Enterprise-grade AI solutions are fundamentally different from consumer tools. Why does this matter?

What Are LLMs, Really?

Think of LLMs as incredibly sophisticated digital brains that can understand and generate human language. They’re the technology powering tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google’s Bard. These models can write, analyze, summarize, and even help with complex problem-solving. But not all LLMs are created equal, and the distinction between consumer and business versions is crucial for your company’s success.

Consumer vs. Business LLMs: A Critical Distinction

When you use a consumer LLM like ChatGPT, you’re accessing a powerful but generalized tool. It’s like using a swiss army knife – useful for many tasks but not specialized for any particular one. These consumer tools are designed for accessibility and general use, with basic security features and limited privacy protections.

Business LLMs, on the other hand, are more like professional-grade equipment. They’re built specifically for enterprise use, with robust security measures, industry-specific expertise, and seamless integration capabilities with your existing business systems. They understand your industry’s terminology and can handle sensitive information with the care it deserves.

The Privacy Imperative

Privacy in business AI isn’t just a feature – it’s a fundamental requirement. When you’re handling sensitive business information, customer data, financial records, or strategic plans, you need more than just basic security. Business LLMs are designed with this in mind, offering enterprise-grade security, data encryption, and compliance with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.

Consider what happens when you input company information into a consumer AI tool. That data might be stored, used for training, or even accidentally exposed to other users. Business LLMs, however, treat your data with the confidentiality it requires, maintaining strict access controls and providing detailed audit trails.

Understanding the Business Impact

Let’s look at how this plays out in real-world scenarios. Imagine you’re handling customer service inquiries. A business LLM can access your specific product information, maintain customer privacy, and provide accurate, contextual responses – all while keeping sensitive data secure. Or consider document processing: analyzing contracts and legal documents requires not just comprehension but also discretion and security that consumer tools simply can’t guarantee.

Strategic planning becomes another crucial area where specialized business LLMs shine. You need AI assistance that understands your industry’s nuances and keeps your strategic initiatives confidential. Consumer LLMs, with their general-purpose design, can’t offer this level of specialized support or security.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

When evaluating AI solutions for your business, consider the full picture. You need tools that not only understand your industry but also protect your interests. Business LLMs offer this comprehensive package: industry-specific expertise, robust security, and seamless integration with your existing systems.

Think about where your data will be stored, how it will be protected, and whether the system truly understands your industry’s requirements. These considerations go beyond mere functionality – they’re about maintaining trust and ensuring long-term success.

Looking to the Future

The future of business AI isn’t about using the same tools as consumers – it’s about leveraging specialized, secure, and powerful systems designed specifically for business needs. As AI continues to evolve, the gap between consumer and business LLMs will likely grow even wider, making your choice of AI tools increasingly important.

Taking the Next Step

Start by evaluating your current AI usage and identifying areas where sensitive business processes could benefit from AI assistance. Consider enterprise-grade solutions that align with your security needs and business goals. Remember, in business, choosing the right AI tool isn’t just about capability – it’s about building a foundation for secure, sustainable growth.

The right business LLM can transform how you operate, but only if it’s properly secured and aligned with your specific needs. Take the time to make an informed choice, and you’ll be well-positioned to leverage AI’s power while protecting what matters most to your business.