Top AI Development Tools for Java in 2024

AI development tools are changing the world! AI is everywhere, from chatbots that answer questions to recommendation engines that suggest what you might like. Java, a popular programming language, is joining in on the action too. 

Even though Java wasn’t always a top pick for AI development, it’s a strong, dependable language. That makes it a fantastic choice for building powerful AI tools that can work well in big businesses.

Today, Java developers—people who code in Java—are adding smart AI features to Java programs. They’re creating tools like real-time data trackers, chatbots, and recommendation systems. 

If you’re a Java developer looking into AI development, you’re part of an exciting trend!

In 2024, there are tons of new frameworks (tools that make coding easier) and libraries (pre-made codes) for AI development. These tools make it faster and easier to build smart programs, no matter what programming language you use.

For Java developers, some of these tools work well with existing Java systems, while others help Java do new things, like understanding language (NLP), processing huge amounts of data, and even learning from data on its own (machine learning). With these tools, Java developers can stay in the Java world while still using all the cool things AI development has to offer.

In 2024, it’s easier than ever to put AI models into Java applications. These tools are designed so Java developers don’t have to jump between different programming languages to make things work. What was once needed by data scientists who used Python can now be done by Java developers using new tools that work smoothly with Java.

A Guide to AI Development Tools for Java Developers

This guide will explore eight of the best AI development tools in 2024. These tools help Java developers create, set up, and grow AI programs. From well-known libraries like TensorFlow Java to special tools like Hugging Face for language processing, these resources let Java developers create and expand AI models without leaving Java. 

Whether you’re working on a big project or just trying out some ideas, this toolkit helps keep you updated on the latest AI development—without needing a new programming language.

Each tool offers something unique, like pre-trained models (ready-made AI brains) or powerful APIs that let you connect AI-driven insights to your Java program. So if you’re ready to take your AI development projects to the next level, check out these must-have tools to bring your applications to life.

Deep Java Library (DJL)  

Let’s start with a crowd favorite: Deep Java Library (DJL). DJL is like the Swiss Army knife for Java developers diving into deep learning. This open-source library makes loading, training, and deploying deep learning models a breeze by offering Java-friendly APIs that integrate smoothly with popular frameworks like PyTorch and TensorFlow. For 2024, DJL’s model zoo has been turbocharged, allowing you to import pre-trained models faster than ever. DJL’s seamless integration with Java ecosystems makes it perfect if you’re looking to add deep learning power without wrestling with new languages.

TensorFlow Java  

TensorFlow isn’t just for Python anymore! With TensorFlow Java, you can handle the full AI development lifecycle in Java, from building to deploying models. TensorFlow Extended (TFX) and Kubernetes support make it simpler to get models into production in large-scale Java environments. Plus, TFX pipelines are now more accessible to Java developers, helping you validate, train, and deploy with the rock-solid reliability Java is known for.

Hugging Face Transformers & Java Integration  

Hugging Face has revolutionized NLP, and now, it’s even friendlier for Java developers. The latest Java client libraries allow direct integration with Hugging Face’s model hub, so adding NLP features like chatbots or text analysis to Java applications is now a plug-and-play experience. The AutoTrain feature allows fine-tuning right from Java, making NLP accessible even for those who don’t want to leave their Java IDEs.

LangChain and Java  

LangChain was made for those who want to harness the power of large language models (LLMs) within existing apps. In 2024, LangChain’s support for Java has grown, letting developers create conversational AI or chatbots that tie in with Java-based business logic. This means you can link AI with your Java data sources to make LLM-powered interactions as seamless as calling any other API—an exciting prospect for chat-based applications and dynamic automation.

Apache Kafka for Real-Time AI Pipelines  

Apache Kafka remains essential for building high-speed data pipelines and is a game changer for Java developers working with AI. Kafka Streams, a tool within Kafka, allows real-time data transformation, making it ideal for AI workflows that need live data. With 2024’s deeper integration with TensorFlow and PyTorch, building scalable AI-driven apps with Kafka is easier than ever. Kafka is perfect if you’re tackling AI applications that need to handle real-time predictions or event-driven data processing.

Ray with Java Bindings  

Ray is known for scaling machine learning workloads, and now, its Java bindings make it accessible to Java developers, too. Think of Ray as your partner for distributing tasks across multiple nodes, whether you’re deploying machine learning models or handling large-scale computations. In 2024, Ray has also improved its Java API, so you can set up distributed AI solutions without switching languages. Ray Serve even supports Java-based microservices, helping you deploy and serve models across clusters effortlessly.

Eclipse Deeplearning4j (DL4J)  

For Java purists, Eclipse Deeplearning4j (DL4J) has long been the go-to choice for Java-native deep learning. DL4J fits neatly within JVM environments, making it a natural fit for enterprise apps. In 2024, DL4J’s integration with Apache Hadoop and Spark has been streamlined, so if your Java applications rely on big data processing, DL4J is there to make deep learning adoption a smooth process. It’s a solid choice for Java developers wanting deep learning power without venturing outside familiar Java tools.

Neo4j for Graph-Based AI in Java  

Neo4j is a graph database powerhouse with rich support for Java, and it’s rapidly growing in AI popularity. Thanks to Neo4j’s Graph Data Science Library, Java developers can explore graph neural networks (GNNs) without switching languages. In 2024, Neo4j will continue to help developers analyze relationships—think fraud detection or recommendation engines—using graphs directly from Java environments. For AI projects where complex relationships are key, Neo4j is a must.

Closing Words

From NLP and deep learning to distributed data pipelines, the tools available for Java developers in AI have never been better. Whether you’re working on natural language processing, building scalable pipelines, or integrating machine learning models into enterprise systems, 2024 is the year to supercharge your Java toolkit with these AI tools.

If you're interested in knowing more, send us an email to sales@kenility.com