Workshop 5.2: Software Standardisation - a MUST for Scaling up!

Using the example of Artificial Intelligence, which rapid rise has led to an exponential increase of AI providers, each offering its own APIs and creating a highly fragmented landscape, the role of standard for digitalization of Industry and to reach interoperability is explored.

A typical Standardization Journey

A similar challenge once existed in other industries, such as global shipping, where container standardization revolutionized logistics. In AI, a comparable shift is now taking place—not through physical containers, but through API alignment.

Initially, proprietary APIs locked companies into specific ecosystems. As the market matured, the need for interoperability became undeniable. Open-source efforts and market consolidation pushed toward standardization, much like how patents, open formats, and eventually International Standards shaped other industries.

The Challengers Follow the Market Leader

Once the industry leader’s API became the de facto standard, competitors faced a choice: maintain their own incompatible systems or align with the dominant API to ensure broader adoption. Most chose the latter, effectively rebuilding their APIs to match the standard set by the market leader.

This shift is transforming the AI landscape. Instead of navigating a fragmented ecosystem, businesses can now integrate AI solutions more seamlessly, reducing development overhead and increasing accessibility.

Standardization in AI APIs shows that progress isn’t just about technological breakthroughs—it’s also about creating common frameworks that enable true interoperability.