Dive Brief:

• Content management and file sharing company Box made an artificial intelligence toolkit, comprised of APIs, SDKs and sample code, generally available on Tuesday, allowing developers to layer AI capabilities on top of the cloud-based platform. 
• The "skills" pull information from files as metadata, which can then drive additional functionalities, such as computer vision and image recognition and improved search. Developers can build different capabilities with the Box Skills Kit, such as automated contract review, customer onboarding and detection of sensitive data, according to the announcement. 
• The company also rolled out a custom AI skills service in conjunction with IBM Watson, as well as a consulting service for AI strategy to help customers identify AI use cases, develop proof of concepts and review implementations. 

Dive Insight:

Low code tools and consulting services, such as those offered by Box, are important steps for vendors and providers to meet customers where they are in terms of capabilities. 

Using the Box Skills Kit, customers can use available third-party algorithms from leading cloud platforms, such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, IBM Watson and Google Cloud Platform, as well as other providers. 

Partnerships and integrations with larger organizations has been key to Box's drive for longevity in the content management market, as the company continues to tout its "single, neutral platform for cloud content management."

Cloud-based AI and machine learning tools offer businesses a path to advanced analytics and other capabilities many are unable to build on their own. It also allows developers with less domain expertise to use the tools more widely across the business. 

But moving past POCs and pilots to long-term, at-scale value generation continues to stymie many businesses. Digitization of the business, talent and clear strategy are necessary, foundational building blocks to more fully realize AI's potential.