Replicate

Replicate is a platform that lets you run open-source machine learning models in the cloud via simple API calls. It eliminates the need to manage GPUs, Docker containers, or ML infrastructure, making it easy to experiment with and deploy various models.

The platform hosts thousands of models including: Llama and other open LLMs, Stable Diffusion for image generation, Whisper for transcription, and specialized models for video, music, and more. You can also deploy custom models using Cog, Replicate's container format for ML models.

For AI engineers, Replicate offers quick access to models that would otherwise require significant infrastructure. Use cases include: prototyping with open-source models, running specialized models (image, audio) alongside LLM APIs, deploying fine-tuned models, and cost-effective inference for certain workloads. Engineers should compare costs with alternatives for production scale.