API
Also known as: Application Programming Interface, Web API, REST API
Application Programming Interface—a set of rules allowing software systems to communicate, enabling developers to access AI capabilities programmatically.
APIs let software systems communicate with each other, enabling developers to integrate AI capabilities into applications without building models themselves.
How It Works
- Developer sends request to API endpoint
- Server processes request (e.g., runs AI model)
- Server returns response (e.g., generated text)
- Developer’s app uses the response
AI API Examples
| Provider | What It Does |
|---|---|
| OpenAI | GPT models, DALL-E, Whisper |
| Anthropic | Claude models |
| Gemini, Vision AI | |
| Stability AI | Image generation |
| ElevenLabs | Voice synthesis |
Key Concepts
- Endpoint: URL where requests are sent
- Authentication: API keys verify access
- Rate limits: Requests per minute/day
- Pricing: Usually per token or request
- Latency: Response time
Why APIs Matter
APIs democratize AI access—you don’t need massive compute or ML expertise. Just send a request, get intelligence back. This powers the explosion of AI-integrated applications.