Smerdoff
Smerdoff / AI Development

AI Proof of Concept Development

Most AI projects fail not because the model is bad, but because nobody checked if the use case actually held up against real data first. We build a scoped proof of concept that answers one question directly — does this AI approach work for your business — before anyone commits budget to a full production build.

Feasibility TestingReal Data, Not Demos2-4 Week TurnaroundGo/No-Go Decision
Dashboard comparing baseline process performance against an AI-driven process side by side
65%
of support queries are now resolved without a human — up from 52% in 2023
LiveChatAI
21×
more likely a lead qualifies when contacted within 5 minutes — AI replies instantly
MIT / InsideSales

Why run a POC before the full build

A proof of concept is cheap insurance against building the wrong thing at full scale.

De-risks the big decision

You find out if the AI approach works before signing off on a six-figure build.

Tested on your real data

No stock demos — we run it against your actual documents, tickets, or transactions.

Fast, bounded scope

Weeks, not quarters. A POC has a fixed question and a fixed deadline.

Honest results either way

If the use case doesn't hold up, you'll know before spending on the full product.

Builds internal buy-in

A working demo against real data convinces stakeholders faster than a slide deck.

Reusable foundation

A validated POC becomes the starting architecture for the production build, not throwaway work.

What's included in an AI POC engagement

Structured to produce a clear answer, not just a prototype.

Use case scoping

We define the specific question the POC needs to answer and the success criteria upfront.

Baseline measurement

We measure how the current manual or rule-based process performs, so the AI has something concrete to beat.

Working AI prototype

A functional prototype built against a sample of your real data, not synthetic examples.

Side-by-side comparison

A dashboard showing baseline process versus AI-driven process on the same metrics.

Cost and feasibility report

Realistic estimate of what a production build would cost, and what accuracy to expect at scale.

Go/no-go recommendation

A direct recommendation on whether to proceed, adjust scope, or stop.

FAQ

A quick prompt test tells you nothing about accuracy on your actual data, your edge cases, or your integration constraints. A POC is measured against a real baseline with your own data and a defined success threshold.

That's a valid, useful outcome. You'll get a clear report on why it didn't hold up and what would need to change — data quality, scope, or approach — rather than finding out after a full build.

Typically 2-4 weeks depending on data access and the complexity of the use case.

Yes, where it makes sense. A validated POC is usually the starting point for the production build rather than disposable code.

Related

Get a free estimate for your AI proof of concept

Tell us the use case you're evaluating — we'll scope a POC that gives you a real answer, not a demo.