Dive Brief:
- KPMG expanded its partnership with Google Cloud to boost its generative AI offerings through new tools and enhanced services, the two companies said Wednesday.
- The consulting firm will invest $100 million in its Google Cloud practice as the two work together on new solutions for retail, healthcare and financial services using Vertex AI, Gemini models, BigQuery and APIs.
- “Through this next phase of our partnership, KPMG will help rapidly accelerate generative AI adoption by providing customers with the solutions, expertise, and technical resources needed to maximize potential from this powerful technology,” said Google Cloud’s President of Global Revenue Matt Renner.
Dive Insight:
Professional services firms were among the early adopters of generative AI. To do so, they partnered with hyperscalers and invested heavily in setting up services and solutions.
KPMG already expanded its alliance with Google Cloud earlier this year with plans to deploy AI assistant Gemini internally and accelerate generative AI adoption among clients.
As part of the enhanced deal announced in April, Google Cloud agreed to upskill KPMG employees to support the firm’s goals and KPMG created a Google Cloud center of excellence to align product development and technical resources.
“Integrating KPMG’s deep industry, data and AI expertise with Google Cloud’s cutting-edge AI technology is a powerful combination that has boosted our clients’ market advantage, and this expansion will scale the impact we deliver for clients,” Steve Chase, vice chair of KPMG’s AI and digital innovation organization, said in the Wednesday statement.
KPMG also partnered with Microsoft in June intending to add capabilities to its proprietary generative AI tool, which was built with OpenAI Service and Azure AI Search, and deploy Microsoft 365 Copilot to all partners and professionals this year. The company is now experimenting with agentic AI.
PwC, Deloitte and EY have also built out their partner portfolios. PwC opened its first Google Cloud AI Experience Zone Thursday, inviting clients to receive hands-on experience with the vendor’s technology. The firm has collaborated with Google Cloud on several tailored generative AI tools, including a solution for corporate tax. PwC has also tapped OpenAI and Microsoft to propel it closer to its AI goals.
The strategy has boosted business outlooks. Accenture, for example, had already booked $2 billion in AI deals on the year by its Q3 2024 report in June. KPMG’s bookings for its Google Cloud practice have grown by 10 times over the past two years, according to the release.
