Accenture and Google Cloud Join Forces to Establish Global Generative AI Center of Excellence

By Dennis Schultz

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Accenture and Google Cloud have unveiled plans for a new initiative aimed at empowering businesses to embrace generative AI for operational enhancements, novel business lines, and distinctive customer experiences. The strategic move involves the establishment of a joint Generative AI Center of Excellence (CoE), providing businesses with the necessary industry expertise, technical knowledge, and product resources to develop and scale applications through Google Cloud’s generative AI portfolio, thereby accelerating time-to-value.

This collaborative effort builds on the ongoing partnership between Accenture and Google Cloud, as both entities strive to assist organizations in redefining their operations with generative AI, unlocking fresh growth opportunities in the process. The Generative AI CoE will guide enterprises in selecting the optimal large language model, including Google’s cutting-edge model, Gemini, based on their specific business objectives.

Gemini, Google’s latest offering, boasts improved performance, efficiency, and state-of-the-art capabilities. Its introduction promises to significantly enhance the way large enterprises leverage AI for intricate and routine tasks. The Gemini Pro API is currently available in public preview, with the highly anticipated Gemini Ultra slated for release early next year.

Key offerings from the new CoE include:

1. Access to Expertise: Businesses will have specialized access to Accenture’s data and AI architects and engineers, enabling the development of advanced prompt engineering strategies for AI model optimization and customization.
2. Gemini and Model Selection: The CoE will aid enterprises in selecting and adopting the most suitable large language model, including Google’s Gemini, to transform business operations.
3. Rapid Prototyping Services: Accelerated development and deployment of generative AI applications on Google Cloud will be facilitated, jumpstarting new business capabilities.
4. Duet AI for Developers: Software engineering teams will benefit from generative AI through code generation and completion support.
5. AI-Optimized Infrastructure: Access to Google Cloud’s differentiated infrastructure, including Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and the Google AI Hypercomputer.
6. Managed Services and Best Practices: Industry-tested AI managed services and best practices based on Accenture’s extensive experience in scaled generative AI projects.

Independence Blue Cross, a health insurance provider, is among the organizations looking forward to exploring the possibilities offered by the new CoE. Michael R. Vennera, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy, Corporate Development, and Information Officer at Independence Health Group, expressed enthusiasm about leveraging generative AI to enhance member experiences and services.

Karthik Narain, Group Chief Executive–Technology at Accenture, emphasized the transformative impact of generative AI on work and information access, stating that the joint investment with Google Cloud will help clients achieve quicker business results and long-term value.

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, acknowledged Accenture’s leadership in providing AI services and expressed confidence that the joint CoE would empower enterprises across industries to address complex challenges and derive value from advanced generative AI technology.

As part of this collaboration, Accenture will also extend the use of Google Cloud technology, making Duet AI for Developers available to thousands of its software engineers, thereby accelerating software development with sequential and context-sensitive coding suggestions.