随着教育内容的转变，出版商需要进行创新。本文探讨了出版商在内容创新过程中面临的抉择：自主研发AI解决方案还是购买第三方服务。自主研发虽然能带来独立性和控制力，但需要持续投入且结果不确定。而购买解决方案则能快速获得投资回报，专注核心业务，但可能存在数据安全和供应商锁定等问题。文章建议出版商根据自身优势和目标，选择最适合的路径，例如专注核心业务并与可靠的合作伙伴合作，以实现更快地创新。

🤔 **自主研发AI的利弊：** 出版商选择自主研发AI解决方案，可以获得技术独立性和控制权，但需要投入大量研发成本、维护成本，且研发结果存在不确定性，需要持续投入人力和资源，例如组建专门的AI团队。

🤝 **购买AI解决方案的优势：** 选择购买第三方AI解决方案，可以快速获得投资回报，专注于核心业务和销售，并能利用成熟的解决方案提升效率。但出版商可能担心数据安全问题和供应商锁定风险。

🎯 **专注核心业务，选择合适的合作伙伴：** 出版商应根据自身优势和目标，选择最合适的路径。专注于核心业务，并与可靠的合作伙伴合作，例如利用EDIA的AI自动化文本分析服务，可以更快地实现创新，获得更多价值。

💡 **数据安全与供应商锁定：** 第三方AI服务提供商通常不会存储出版商的数据，而是利用数据来提升自身服务。只要选择可靠的合作伙伴，数据安全和供应商锁定风险是可以避免的。

With the educational content shift taking place, publishers need to innovate. In a previous blog post, we've discussed why embracing content agility is key in this regard. Of course, such transitions require publishers to make investment-related decisions. With every innovation, the main question is, 'Will we make or buy this?'

To make: independence + uncertainty

Those who decide to develop a new initiative in-house will need to reach into their pockets. R&D, internal development, and maintenance are costly. Such investments do come with an advantage: once you've built your solution, you will have the technology, knowledge, and capability to independently manage and maintain it. You will be in control.

On the other hand, this requires constant investments and a complete overhaul of the organisation. For as your innovation continues to develop, you will need to expand your R&D teams, which should specialise in AI. Meanwhile, the outcomes are often uncertain — if you set out to develop AI solutions, you're entering a trial-by-error field. You can't be sure your investments will pay off the moment you get started.

To buy: ROI and focus + data-related concerns

The alternative is joining forces with a provider that has developed a proven solution for a specific part of the publishing process. This option comes with a considerable benefit: your return on investment is clear from the get-go, as you'll work with a tried-and-tested solution. Moreover, you'll be able to focus on your core business and sales organisation.

Of course, publishers might fear their data ends up in the hands of a third party, and they'll want to avoid a vendor lock-in. In practice, however, such concerns are not necessary. In most cases, the provider will have no interest in storing your data, as it develops its own. As long as you work with a reliable party, this won't be an issue.

One-stop-shop or expert?

To make the best decision, it's important to decide what you want to be known for. Can you best add value by developing technology in-house or by creating and distributing teaching materials? Being a one-stop-shop certainly has its advantages. But if you focus on a small piece of the pie — your core business — it will be easier to distinguish yourself. The latter, of course, requires you to work with the right parties.

Looking to work with a reliable partner? Many publishers have benefited from EDIA's AI-based automated text analyses. Instead of storing their data, we have enriched it, creating immediate added value so they can innovate faster. If you want to know more, be sure to get your free 30-day API trial.