model independence

Model independence refers to the ability to deploy and manage AI models without being locked into a single cloud provider or architecture. In industrial settings, this concept is central to the Builder path, which prioritizes customizable infrastructure and on-premises control over centralized orchestration. Discussions on WindowsForum highlight how model independence enables organizations to structure data fabrics, secure OT/IT boundaries, and design agentic workflows for factories, fleets, and supply chains. The tag covers strategies for avoiding vendor lock-in while maintaining flexibility in AI deployment, particularly in industrial cloud environments where Microsoft and AWS offer divergent approaches.