Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a vital part of the modern educational landscape, especially within engineering universities where innovative tools and platforms are critical for both teaching and research. While many institutions recognize the potential of AI, developing customized AI solutions can seem scary, particularly when they lack the in-house expertise or the budget to hire a full-fledged AI development service team. This is where no-code and low-code platforms can offer a viable solution. However, rather than attempting to develop these tools themselves, engineering universities must work with experienced AI app development services agencies to ensure professional, scalable, and cost-effective solutions.
This guide explores how no-code and low-code AI tools can help engineering universities build Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and demonstrates why hiring the right development agency is the best route for creating robust AI systems.
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Understanding No-Code and Low-Code Platforms for AI Development
No-code and low-code platforms provide user-friendly environments that allow users to create applications with minimal or no coding skills.
- No-Code Platforms: These tools enable users to build applications using visual interfaces, drag-and-drop features, and pre-built templates. Users can create functional applications without writing any code
- Low-Code Platforms: While these also offer visual development capabilities, they allow for more customization through coding if needed. This flexibility makes them suitable for users who may want to enhance their applications with specific functionalities
These platforms are excellent for creating rapid prototypes or MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), but engineering schools need more than just a basic AI tool. They need customized AI solutions that align with their curriculum, research, and administrative needs. this is where professional AI development agencies come in. While the platforms may simplify the process, deploying AI at scale requires expertise in integrating these solutions with existing systems, ensuring data security, and maintaining long-term functionality.
Benefits of No-Code and Low-Code AI Tools for Engineering Universities
Faster Time-to-Deployment: With no-code/low-code platforms, an AI development agency can quickly create MVPs that engineering schools can test and refine. This means AI tools can be deployed in a matter of weeks instead of months, making innovation accessible and immediate
Cost-Efficiency: Traditional AI development is expensive. By using no-code and low-code platforms, an agency can reduce the cost of development while still providing high-quality, customized AI tools that fit within an engineering school’s budget
Tailored Solutions: No two engineering schools are the same, and AI tools should reflect the unique needs of each institution. With professional help, no-code and low-code platforms can be customized to integrate with the school’s existing learning management systems (LMS), research data platforms, and other infrastructures
Scalability and Maintenance: Engineering schools need solutions that work today and can evolve with them. A development agency can ensure that AI tools are built with scalability, allowing for future upgrades and expansions as the school’s needs change. Additionally, ongoing support is essential for troubleshooting and maintenance, which DIY solutions lack
Find out more about AI-based learning tools and Gamifying education in this helpful blog: “Metaverse in Education: Virtual Labs and Gamification”
Popular Tools and Server Options for No-Code/Low-Code Success in Education
While the platforms themselves offer great potential, their true power is unlocked when implemented by a development agency. Some of the most popular no-code and low-code platforms include
Platform
Description
Best For
Combines database functionality with a spreadsheet interface; ideal for managing admissions data
Admissions
Allows users to create custom business apps; integrates well with Microsoft products
Finance
A visual programming tool that enables users to build web applications without code
Administration
A low-code platform designed for rapid application development; suitable for various university functions
Campus Security
A no-code platform that allows users to build mobile apps; great for library services
Library Services
A powerful low-code platform offering enterprise-grade application development capabilities
Career Services
Specializes in image recognition and document processing; useful for various administrative tasks
Laboratory Management
Cost-Effective Server and Hosting Solutions for AI Tools
Another key consideration for engineering schools is the hosting and maintenance of AI tools. Here are some cost-effective solutions that can be optimized by an AI development agency
Cloud Platforms with Education Discounts
- Google Cloud for Education: Google offers discounted cloud hosting and AI tools tailored for educational institutions, providing engineering schools with scalable storage and computing power
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): With its AWS Educate program, AWS offers grants and credits for academic institutions, making it an affordable choice for hosting AI tools and managing large datasets
- Microsoft Azure: Azure provides cloud solutions at a lower cost for educational institutions through its Azure for Students program, making it an ideal platform for hosting AI apps built on PowerApps or other tools
Third-Party Managed AI Platforms
- Jarvis Labs offers a unique approach that combines cloud hosting with pre-built AI functionalities for various industries, including education. This can potentially lower development costs for specific AI tools and simplify maintenance.
Local Hosting in India
For institutions in India, local hosting providers like CtrlS and RackBank offer competitive, high-performance solutions. Their focus and strong presence in the Indian market make them ideal choices for many.
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How ColorWhistle Can Assist in Developing Custom AI Tools
- Consultation: We begin by understanding the specific AI needs of your engineering school, whether it’s an AI-powered grading system, research tool, or administrative chatbot
- Custom Development: Utilizing platforms like Google AutoML, Bubble.io, and Microsoft PowerApps, we develop customized AI tools tailored to the needs of your institution
- Integration: Our team ensures smooth integration with your existing systems, such as Learning Management Systems (LMS) or research databases, so that the AI tools fit naturally into your workflows
- Maintenance and Support: Post-deployment, we offer ongoing support to ensure your AI solutions continue to evolve and remain relevant to your needs
Which one would you prefer? Recipe Book vs. Personal Chef
Using a general AI tool is like flipping through a recipe book, you’ll find something useful, but it might take time, and you’ll have to adapt. A customized AI tool is like having a personal chef in your kitchen. It knows your preferences, adjusts recipes to suit your taste, and makes the process faster and more enjoyable. For engineering schools, this customized approach helps them focus on creating, not just figuring things out.
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What’s Next?
Now that you’ve had the chance to explore our blog, it’s time to take the next step and see what opportunities await!