Google Cloud launches new AI capabilities

Google has launched a new generation of generative AI solutions for developers, including new offerings for Google Cloud and MakerSuite.

The company has introduced generative AI capabilities to Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform, which is used to build and deploy machine learning models and AI applications at scale.

The generative capabilities include foundation models initially for generating text and images, with plans to incorporate support for audio and video over time. This will allow Google Cloud customers to discover models, create and modify prompts and customise them with their own data.

The Generative App Builder tool will allow business and governments to build their own AI-powered chat interfaces and digital assistants.

Google is also expanding its AI ecosystem with more technology partners including AI-focused software providers and startups.

Meanwhile, Google has introduced new AI-powered features in Google Workspace, including the ability to instantly generate a draft on a selected topic, such as a welcome letter for new employees. The new features will allow a pregenerated draft to be adjusted by elaborating on or abbreviating a message or adjusting the tone to be more professional or playful in a handful of clicks.

Announcing the new capabilities, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said Google has been investing in AI for many years, adding that more than 3 billion people are already benefiting from the existing AI-powered features in Google Workspace, including Gmail’s Smart Compose and auto-generated summaries in Google Docs.

“We’re now at a pivotal moment in our AI journey. Breakthroughs in generative AI are fundamentally changing how people interact with technology — and at Google, we’ve been responsibly developing large language models so we can safely bring them to our products,” he said.

“Today, we’re excited to share our early progress. Developers and businesses can now try new APIs and products that make it easy, safe and scalable to start building with Google’s best AI models through Google Cloud and a new prototyping environment called MakerSuite. And in Google Workspace, we’re introducing new features that help people harness the power of generative AI to create, connect and collaborate.”

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