Google Cloud introduces new retail-focused generative AI tools

Google unveiled a range of new tools designed to enhance retailers’ online shopping experiences and other operations. The tools leverage generative artificial intelligence technologies, Google’s cloud business disclosed in a Thursday press release.

These new offerings include an AI-enabled chatbot that retailers can integrate on their websites or mobile applications. These virtual agents can interact with customers, offering product suggestions in line with their preferences, according to Google.

Carrie Tharp, Google Cloud’s Vice President of Strategic Industries, said in the release;

In only a year, generative AI has morphed from a barely recognized concept to one of the fastest-moving capabilities in all of technology and a critical part of many retailers’ agendas.

Google Cloud has recently introduced several tools that employ generative artificial intelligence, reflecting the growing use of this technology in the retail sector. This development comes on the heels of Amazon’s AI tool release for sellers and the widespread use of innovative technology in the most recent holiday shopping season.

As part of Thursday’s announcement, Google also revealed a large language model feature designed to enhance the quality of product searches. Available initially to a select group of stores, a broader release is expected later in the year.

Google’s latest suite of AI tools also includes resources to improve retailers’ customer service systems and speed up their product cataloging procedures.

Moreover, Google’s Distributed Cloud Edge, which incorporates hardware and software, is extending new AI capabilities to physical stores.

The unveiling of Google Cloud’s cutting-edge AI tools comes just a short time before the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York City.