Custom D Revolutionizes Research Access with AI Solutions

Custom D, an artificial intelligence firm, is transforming how research information is accessed by businesses and industry bodies. The company has developed AI assistants designed to help users navigate through extensive databases of information, making previously underutilized data more accessible. Among its flagship products are the on-farm assistant, Bella, created for Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ), and Ask Farai, designed for the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR). These innovations aim to consolidate vast amounts of research into user-friendly formats.

Innovative AI Solutions for Research

Custom D, co-founded as a spin-off from Digital Fusion, has been expanding its reach since its inception in 2014. The company, which includes original shareholders such as Julie Ryan, Craig Saunders, Sam Sehnert, and Matthew Rhodes, is currently looking to raise further investment to enhance its operations. In a recent statement, Ryan highlighted the increasing demand for AI platforms that can effectively bridge the gap between complex research and practical applications.

Ryan noted that during a recent visit to the United States, it became evident that there is approximately $1 trillion (around $1.7 billion NZD) worth of research conducted annually, yet only 14% of that research is actively utilized. “This is research that can save lives, reduce human impact on the planet, and enhance our food production,” she explained. The opportunity to harness this information is driving Custom D’s innovations.

Enhancing Data Accessibility and Security

Custom D’s AI platform aims to facilitate secure access to research data. While many users are familiar with generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, Ryan emphasized the unique challenges of creating a system that maintains data integrity while managing extensive documents. The platform integrates generative language models with retrieval-augmented generation to process and summarize large volumes of data, making it comprehensible for users.

The Ask Farai assistant, which became operational in 2024, is designed to provide accurate answers while ensuring data security. Users can query information and receive responses along with source links, allowing for transparency and reliability. Unlike other AI models that operate externally, Custom D deploys its solutions within clients’ private cloud environments, granting them control over their data.

Interest in the platform surged following the launch of BLNZ’s AI tool in September. Ryan reported that the agricultural research sector is responding positively, with ongoing discussions with various research clients in New Zealand and Australia. Custom D is in talks with one of the largest contract research organizations (CROs) in Australia and is nearing completion of a pilot project for another major research institution in New Zealand.

The potential for international expansion is also on the horizon, particularly with ongoing talks with agricultural leaders in North Carolina and Boston. The Caitlyn assistant supports multilingual functions, catering to non-English speakers and broadening its usability across regions.

Custom D’s dedication to innovation was recognized last year when the company was awarded the Innovation Partner of the Year and Social Impact Partner of the Year at the AWS re:Invent conference in Las Vegas. With a dedicated team of 25 professionals, including developers, data scientists, and project managers, the company continues to explore new applications for its technology. Currently, it has around 10 projects in pilot stages and another 10 in production, catering to clients such as Deer Industry NZ and NZ Avocado.

Looking ahead, Ryan expressed optimism about the future capabilities of the platform. “What can be done on top of that — the world is your oyster,” she stated, indicating that Custom D is poised to further enhance its offerings and expand its impact on research accessibility in various sectors.