In recent conversations, I’ve noticed a common assumption in the tech world that building AI models from scratch is inherently more valuable than leveraging existing APIs. There’s almost a sense of condescension around the idea of “just using APIs” rather than diving deep into the technical world of AI model creation. However, I believe this overlooks the true purpose of advanced generative AI (Gen AI) tools and APIs. In fact, companies like InfiniteUp exist precisely to unlock the real-world potential of these tools, bringing their capabilities to market in ways that the original tech creators alone cannot. In my view, the deep tech AI companies won’t survive without innovators like InfiniteUp successfully commercializing and scaling their APIs.
DOER Business Doesn’t Build Its Own API — It Commercializes the Best Ones
The short answer to whether DOER Business has its own API is simple: we don’t need to build one. Instead, we specialize in commercializing Gen AI APIs from the most powerful models available today. Our platform is designed to be interchangeable with various generative AIs, currently leveraging OpenAI and Google’s Gemini. The advantage here is flexibility. We can mix and match different AI solutions, adding custom functionality on top of these APIs, which allows us to focus on delivering better user experiences without reinventing the wheel.
The Importance of API-Driven Solutions in the Gen AI Ecosystem
Many of the conversations I’ve had with investors and tech insiders tend to focus on the deep tech side of generative AI. While building and improving LLMs (Large Language Models) is crucial, I can’t help but feel that much of this space has become an “apples-to-apples” competition. Companies are racing to create the next best AI model, but in doing so, they miss a key point: Who is commercializing these models?
There’s growing skepticism in the media about AI’s ability to live up to its hype, as reflected in headlines like The Economist’s “What happened to the artificial intelligence revolution?” and The New York Times’ “Will A.I. Be a Bust?”. The truth is that while deep tech AI models may be advancing, businesses, especially small ones, are still largely unsure how to use these tools. Many are talking about AI but far fewer are actually putting it to work. This gap is where companies like InfiniteUp come in.
Building on APIs to Deliver Usability and Functionality
At InfiniteUp, we’ve embraced APIs since the beginning. As some of the world’s best developers on FlutterFlow—a visual software development platform—we’ve integrated API usage into the core of our business. When OpenAI released ChatGPT, the API was intended to be the real product. However, in the rush to capitalize on AI hype, the API took a backseat to more visible (but often less useful) implementations, like simple “GPT buttons” hastily added to apps. These attempts often fail to fully harness the power of Gen AI.
Rather than jumping on the trend, we took a different approach. We’re focused on creating an intuitive, user-friendly experience, adding functionality that enhances the API, rather than just rebranding it. For example, instead of making users guess what to ask the AI, we’ve flipped the interaction by having the AI take the lead, prompting users with questions and allowing it to utilize its full potential. This removes a major barrier for users who aren’t familiar with how to prompt AI effectively.
API Flexibility: The Power of Mixing and Matching
One of our key advantages is flexibility. We recognize that while companies like OpenAI and Anthropic may have leading models today, the landscape can change. That’s why DOER Business is designed to switch between different generative AIs, much like swapping one soda brand for another in a restaurant. For example, we use Gemini for image recognition tasks and OpenAI for cognitive tasks—choosing whichever tool is best for the job. This modular approach ensures we’re never locked into one provider, giving us the freedom to adjust based on performance, cost, or user preference.
Pairing APIs to Maximize Impact
Using APIs has also opened doors to powerful combinations that go beyond just plugging in Gen AI. We’ve paired Gen AI with other APIs, such as Google Places, to create sophisticated tools for businesses. For instance, in our affiliate marketing program, users can target local businesses by pulling in data from Google Places. DOER Business then combines that information with AI-driven insights to create a personalized sales strategy. This level of customization is what makes AI truly useful in a practical sense.
Another example of our API integration is in task management. Gen AI is great at generating ideas, but it can often get lost in verbosity. To solve this, we’ve integrated a task list feature that works alongside the AI, ensuring that conversations result in concrete, actionable steps.
Expanding with Single-Feature Applets
Beyond building flexible tools, we’re also developing single-feature “applets” within DOER Business. These applets provide specific, high-value features, like business model building, climate impact assessment, and loan application assistance. They may not be full products by themselves, but they’re designed to support small businesses in achieving real-world goals. These applets also demonstrate the potential for our product to be infinitely expandable in the future.
The Future of APIs in AI
In the long run, we believe that API-powered platforms like DOER Business are what will make generative AI truly impactful on a global scale. Deep tech companies may provide the engines, but we are the ones building the vehicles that get them on the road. By focusing on commercializing, refining, and enhancing the best AI APIs available, we’re bringing practical AI solutions to small businesses in a way that is both scalable and adaptable.
In short, the success of Gen AI depends not just on who builds the best model, but on who can best deploy them—and that’s where InfiniteUp comes in.
Try out DOER Business at doer.infiniteup.dev/business