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PMLE Practice Question: A startup has developed a prototype ML model…
A startup has developed a prototype ML model using scikit-learn on a single machine. They now need to scale it to handle larger datasets and deploy it for real-time predictions. The team is small and wants minimal operational overhead. Which Google Cloud service should they use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that any serverless option (like Cloud Functions) is suitable for ML inference, but the trap here is that Cloud Functions has severe resource and timeout limitations that make it impractical for real-time model serving, whereas Vertex AI is purpose-built for this workload.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Vertex AI
Vertex AI (option B) is the correct choice because it provides a unified, fully managed MLOps platform that integrates model training, deployment, and scaling with minimal operational overhead. It supports scikit-learn models natively, offers auto-scaling for real-time predictions, and eliminates the need to manage infrastructure, making it ideal for a small team transitioning from a prototype.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
AI Platform Prediction
Why it's wrong here
AI Platform Prediction is a legacy service; Vertex AI is the recommended unified platform.
- ✓
Vertex AI
Why this is correct
Vertex AI provides managed training, deployment, and autoscaling with minimal operational overhead.
- ✗
Cloud Functions
Why it's wrong here
Serverless but limited to short-running functions; not suited for large-scale ML inference.
- ✗
Compute Engine with TensorFlow Serving
Why it's wrong here
Requires manual management of infrastructure and load balancing.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PMLE practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PMLE exam.