A conceptual Fath business model: digital platform for accessible, private, and open-weights artificial intelligence inference

Hassan Nordin, Muhamad Hazim Iskandar and Samsudin, Muhammad Safwan and Zafran, Muhammad Zulharizi and Mohd Norhadi Shah, Muhammad Shazwan Shah and Ahmad Dahlan, Abdul Rahman (2026) A conceptual Fath business model: digital platform for accessible, private, and open-weights artificial intelligence inference. International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology Research, 14 (2). pp. 203-215. ISSN 2348-1196 E-ISSN 2348-120X

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual business model, called Fath, including a digital platform and Application Programming Interface (API) infrastructure, to solve key challenges regarding data privacy, vendor lock-in, and high inference costs faced by three Customer Segments (CS): (a) Privacy-First Enterprises and Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMEs), (b) High-security government agencies and corporations, and (c) AI Startups and cost-focused developers and researchers. Key pains include the prohibitive cost of proprietary APIs and the technical complexity of self-hosting open-source Large Language Models (LLMs). The paper adapts Design Thinking (DT) methodology that include conducting a literature review on Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) trends, benchmarking competitors such as OpenAI and AWS using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) framework and conducting surveys to define problems. An initial business model prototype was designed using the Environment Map (EM), BMC, and Value Proposition Canvas (VPC), followed by validation against market needs. Key findings indicate a significant gap for a "privacy-first," cost-effective inference provider. This paper establishes a validated business model where Fath serves as a gain creator by offering drop-in API compatibility with open-weights models. A Strategy Canvas (SC) is created to compare Fath against incumbent players, highlighting its relevance in solving extreme pains related to data sovereignty. Future work includes developing a detailed business plan and deploying the high-fidelity digital platform prototype.

Item Type:	Article (Letter)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Fath, Open-Weights AI, AI Inference, Business Model, Data Privacy, Technopreneurship, API Economy, Large Language Models, Design Thinking
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General) > T55.4 Industrial engineering.Management engineering. > T58.6 Management information systems
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology > Department of Information System Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology > Department of Information System Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology
Depositing User:	Ts. Abdul Rahman Ahmad Dahlan
Date Deposited:	28 Jul 2026 16:35
Last Update:	30 Jul 2026 12:10
Queue Number:	2026-07-Q4288
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/130235

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