Available for new projects
I am Shreyans Padmani, a freelance AI developer and consultant. I design and build machine learning models, NLP systems, computer vision apps, and generative AI products, then ship them to production and keep them running. Hire me for a scoped project, an architecture review, or an ongoing roadmap, you work with me directly: no account manager, no allocated junior, no agency markup.
Discovery call within 24 hours, written spec within 48, NDA before any data moves
Plain answer
Hiring an AI developer means engaging a professional who designs, trains, and deploys machine learning and AI systems for a specific business problem, from fraud detection and recommendation engines to chatbots and computer vision applications. AI development services span the full lifecycle: data preparation, model selection and training, evaluation, deployment as a production API, and ongoing monitoring.
A freelance AI developer differs from an agency by working with you directly and personally at every stage, at a lower cost since there is no team overhead or account management markup layered on top of the engineering work. You talk to the person writing the code, not a project manager relaying messages.
The honest comparison
This is the single most common decision businesses face when hiring AI talent, and it is worth answering honestly rather than glossing over.
Many AI agencies market a narrative that freelancers are only suitable for small experiments while agencies are required for anything reaching production. That narrative serves agencies' pricing model more than it reflects reality. A single experienced freelance AI developer who has shipped 20+ production projects, follows a disciplined process, written specs, milestone delivery, monitoring, documentation, and works inside your team's tools is fully capable of shipping production-grade AI. The agency premium buys team redundancy and account management, not inherently superior engineering. The right question is not "freelancer or agency" in the abstract, it is whether the specific person you hire has a track record of production delivery.
| Factor | Freelance AI developer (me) | AI development agency | Marketplace platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Direct rate, no markup | Team overhead + account management | Platform commission, 10–20%+ markup |
| Start time | 48 to 72 hours | 2 to 4 weeks | 72 hours to 3 weeks by tier |
| Who does the work | Me, directly, every time | Allocated member, can change mid-project | Vetted freelancer, platform takes a cut |
| Direct communication | Always, no relay | Often filtered through an account manager | Usually direct, platform-mediated payment |
| Best for | Defined projects $2K–$50K and ongoing work | Complex builds needing many specialists at once | Similar to freelance, with added vetting and fees |
Build & advise
Beyond hands-on development, I offer AI consulting for teams that need direction before committing to a build. Consulting engagements are scoped separately and typically run 3 to 5 business days for a written report and recommendation.
Deep expertise
Each specialty below has its own page covering services, process, benchmarks, and pricing in depth.
Custom ML models, predictive analytics, and MLOps for systems that stay accurate in production.
Explore ML → 02Text classification, sentiment analysis, and LLM-powered features grounded in your own data.
Explore NLP → 03Object detection, image classification, and video analytics tuned to your domain.
Explore CV → 04LLM integration, RAG chatbots, and fine-tuning for products that use your knowledge.
Explore GenAI → 05Custom model training, hyperparameter optimisation, and deployment for constrained tasks.
Explore training → 06Autonomous and multi-step agentic workflow systems that complete tasks, not just answer.
Explore agents →Where it runs
Domain-specific experience across these verticals means faster ramp-up and higher baseline accuracy from day one. Each page covers the systems, benchmarks, and pricing relevant to that sector.
Diagnostics, clinical documentation automation, and patient risk scoring.
See healthcare → Finance & bankingFraud detection, credit risk modeling, and compliance automation.
See finance → EcommerceRecommendation engines, personalisation, and smarter product search.
See ecommerce → ManufacturingPredictive maintenance and quality inspection automation.
See manufacturing → Real estateProperty valuation, AI chatbots, and document automation.
See real estate → RetailInventory optimisation and demand forecasting.
See retail →Why direct
Stop routing your AI project through an account manager who is not the person writing the code. Working with me directly means:
During committed hours your project gets my full attention, not divided focus across a rotating client roster you cannot see.
NDA signed from day one. Your code, data, and business logic stay confidential, with no subcontracting to unnamed third parties.
ML, deep learning, NLP, computer vision, and generative AI, backed by 20+ completed projects and documented case studies.
Scale hours up or down by project phase without long-term commitments, team restructuring, or renegotiating an MSA.
Save significantly versus agency rates and platform fees. What you pay reflects the engineering, not account management overhead.
Regular updates and full visibility through whatever project tools your team already uses, no filtered status reports.
Engagement models
Pick the hiring duration that fits your project and scale up or down at any time. Every model means working with me directly, not a rotating pool of developers.
Pay only for hours worked, with full flexibility.
Best forQuick tasks, bug fixes, or small features.
A focused, full-time engagement working exclusively on your project for a defined sprint.
Best forShort sprints and MVP builds.
A dedicated monthly engagement with priority availability and continuous delivery.
Best forTeams with a continuous AI roadmap.
Commit for 3+ months and save on the hourly rate across multiple phases.
Best forComplex, iterative AI systems.
Working with one accountable person, start to finish.
Risk-free 1-week trial on every engagement · PoC from ~$1,500 · production builds $3,000–$30,000+ · hourly $60–$150
How it works
A clear, transparent process to get your AI project moving quickly, with no unnecessary steps.
Proof
Ask any AI developer for case studies with measurable outcomes, not just a portfolio of demos. Every project here includes specific, verifiable metrics.
Automates resume parsing and candidate matching for a platform processing 10,000+ resumes monthly.
A speech-to-text pipeline that turns meetings and training videos into concise summaries with action items.
An NLP pipeline that categorises open-text feedback into 14 business-relevant themes automatically.
FAQ
Everything you need to know about hiring an AI developer and working with me directly.
