AI Operations Architecture
The 5-layer stack for production AI
AI Ops has crystallized into a 5-layer stack: Infrastructure, Model Gateway, Agent Orchestration, Memory Systems, and Observability. Organizations progress through 6 maturity levels from ad-hoc to autonomous. The key differentiator is memory architecture — working, episodic, semantic, and procedural.
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Architecture layers
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Maturity levels
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Memory types
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The 5-Layer AI Ops Stack
Production AI systems require a structured stack. Each layer addresses a specific concern, and skipping layers leads to failure at scale.
Layer 1: Infrastructure
FoundationGPU clusters, model hosting, API management, cost controls
Layer 2: Model Gateway
RoutingUnified API routing (LiteLLM/Portkey), failover, rate limiting, cost tracking
Layer 3: Agent Orchestration
LogicMulti-agent frameworks, workflow engines, task decomposition
Layer 4: Memory Systems
StateWorking memory, episodic memory, semantic memory, procedural memory
Layer 5: Observability
VisibilityTracing, evaluation, monitoring, alerting, drift detection
Memory Architecture
The most underappreciated aspect of production AI is memory. Four types of memory serve different purposes: working memory (current context), episodic memory (past interactions), semantic memory (knowledge base), and procedural memory (learned procedures). Effective systems combine all four.
Working Memory
Short-termActive context window. What the agent is currently thinking about.
Episodic Memory
ExperiencePast interactions and outcomes. Enables learning from experience.
Semantic Memory
KnowledgeStructured knowledge base. Facts, relationships, domain knowledge.
Procedural Memory
SkillsLearned workflows and procedures. How to accomplish specific tasks.
Maturity Model
Organizations progress through 6 levels: Level 0 (Ad-hoc, no structure), Level 1 (Basic, single agents), Level 2 (Managed, multi-agent with monitoring), Level 3 (Optimized, automated evaluation), Level 4 (Proactive, predictive systems), Level 5 (Autonomous, self-healing agent teams).
Key Findings
The 5-layer AI Ops stack provides a structured approach to production AI infrastructure
Memory architecture (4 types) is the key differentiator in production agent systems
Most organizations are at Level 1-2 of the 6-level maturity model
Model gateway architecture reduces vendor lock-in and enables automatic failover
Observability is the most commonly skipped layer — and the primary cause of production failures
Frequently Asked Questions
Infrastructure, Model Gateway, Agent Orchestration, Memory Systems, and Observability. Each layer addresses a specific concern for production AI.
Sources & References
11 validated sources · Last updated 2026-01-27