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Tag: google cloud

  • Google Accelerates Cloud Growth as AI Spreads Across Asia in Two Years

    Google Accelerates Cloud Growth as AI Spreads Across Asia in Two Years

    Google is putting the growth of its cloud computing business into a higher gear after the rapidly spreading use of generative artificial intelligence.

    Harsha Konduri, managing director for Google AI across Asia-Pacific and Japan, said artificial intelligence has become widespread in two years or so, compared to more than 10 years it took to embed cloud computing.

    Compressed Timelines Across Regional Markets

    Konduri sees huge growth potential in Asia and noted that regional demand for artificial intelligence is rising to maximize cost-effectiveness for companies.

    To support this pace, Google is tailoring its enterprise offerings to prioritize three core capabilities: data security, governance controls, and real-time cost management. Asian enterprises operating across fragmented regulatory jurisdictions require strict data residency guarantees before connecting proprietary commercial databases to foundation models.

    Cost Controls and Infrastructure Governance

    Corporate spending priorities across regional consumer, financial, and logistics sectors have shifted from raw model testing to disciplined operating expenditure. Uncontrolled token usage and compute expenses can quickly erode margins on consumer-facing applications.

    Google is positioning its cloud ecosystem to provide real-time budget fencing and compute optimization tools. Regional retailers and supply chain operators demand predictable billing models before deploying automated customer service, inventory routing, and demand-forecasting tools at scale.

    Platform Competition in Asia Pacific

    Rival hyperscalers including Microsoft and Amazon Web Services are competing aggressively across Asia-Pacific data center hubs. Competition centers on offering pre-configured enterprise safeguards that allow corporate legal and technical teams to deploy applications without building internal compliance layers from scratch.

    For commercial operators, the battle among cloud providers reduces migration friction and lowers infrastructure costs. The primary operating risk sits in long-term lock-in to proprietary foundation models that complicate future cross-platform integration.

    Enterprise Deployment Targets

    Enterprise tech spending in major Asian markets previously required multi-stage sign-offs across regional boards. The compression of software rollout cycles forces corporate leadership to balance rapid capability deployment against compliance exposure under local privacy frameworks.

    Market participants are now monitoring quarterly capital expenditure filings and regional data center investments as Google and its rivals build out localized processing capacity across Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

  • KDDI Launches Paid Consumer AI Assistant Buffmee in Japan

    KDDI Launches Paid Consumer AI Assistant Buffmee in Japan

    Japanese telecom operator KDDI launched Buffmee, a consumer artificial intelligence assistant that charges JPY 980 a month for verified search and study tools. The service runs on Google Cloud and restricts query answers exclusively to curated materials from licensed book publishers, magazines and specialized databases.

    Unlike general-purpose chatbots that scrape the open internet, Buffmee functions as a closed ecosystem where users can cross-check answers directly against partner citations. The platform targets daily consumer queries across education, cooking, sports, parenting, business and personal finance.

    Curated data over open web searches

    KDDI designed the app to address rising consumer frustration with unverified AI search results and hallucinations. Partner publishers provide copyrighted and premium texts to the platform, gaining a controlled digital distribution channel while KDDI secures proprietary content for its model.

    Users interact through structured shortcuts and dedicated buttons designed to reduce prompt writing. The software includes tools for text summarisation, data analysis, image generation, daily planning, test problem creation and digital flashcards.

    Freemium tiers and study tools

    The service operates on a two-tier pricing structure. The free tier caps usage at 100 chat sessions and 10 image generation requests per day, while the JPY 980 (USD 6.50) monthly subscription removes all volume limits. KDDI is offering the premium tier free for the first year to build initial consumer adoption.

    Asian telecom operators are increasingly shifting from commodity network access into branded consumer digital services to defend average revenue per user. While regional peers in Southeast Asia and South Korea have focused primarily on enterprise AI contracts and customer care automation, KDDI is taking subscription software directly to retail mobile subscribers through curated publisher partnerships.

    KDDI will track conversion rates as early adopters reach the end of their 12-month free promotional period and transition onto the standard monthly billing cycle.

  • Gap Inc. Partners With Google Cloud, Leveraging Ai To Revolutionize Retail And Customer Experience

    Gap Inc. Partners With Google Cloud, Leveraging Ai To Revolutionize Retail And Customer Experience

    Gap Inc. has joined forces with Google Cloud in a multi-year partnership aimed at fast-tracking the company’s tech strategy through the application of artificial intelligence (AI). The overarching objective is to bolster operations and improve consumer interactions throughout its various brands.

    Harnessing the Power of AI

    According to Sven Gerjets, Gap Inc’s Chief Technology Officer, the company is embracing AI as a transformative tool in retail, building its future tech roadmap around it.

    He stated, “This partnership offers us the proficiency and speed to integrate AI throughout our operations, enabling our teams, igniting creativity, and delivering to our customers more swiftly and with a higher degree of personalisation than ever before.”

    The collaboration with Google Cloud will equip Gap with a cohesive, AI-powered platform devised to enhance product development, planning, and pricing processes. This will spark creativity and efficiency across all its brands, which include Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta.

    To facilitate product design, customer experience, and employee enablement, Gap will utilize Google Cloud technologies such as Gemini, Vertex AI, and BigQuery.

    Reinventing Retail with AI

    Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, saying it’s about revolutionising the retail landscape with AI and supporting Gap in leading the industry in terms of speed, personalisation, and game-changing customer experiences.

    With AI, Gap envisages creating a hyper-personalised shopping experience for consumers, enabling stronger storytelling and relevance to engage a wider audience. Furthermore, Google AI will assist Gap in optimizing ad placements and fortifying omnichannel marketing through Google Ads.

    Gap has already begun leveraging AI tools to aid employees in decision-making and execution, thereby enhancing efficiency.

    Sven Gerjets stated, “By re-engineering our workflows and empowering every employee with AI, we are allowing Gap Inc teams to concentrate on creativity, culture, and customer connection, while preserving the company’s human-centric DNA at the heart of innovation.”

    Questions & Answers

    What is the aim of the partnership between Gap Inc and Google Cloud?
    The partnership aims to accelerate Gap Inc’s tech strategy through AI, thereby improving operations and customer experiences across all of its brands.

    How will Gap Inc implement Google Cloud technologies?
    Gap Inc will utilize Google Cloud technologies to enhance product development, planning, and pricing procedures, and streamline product design, customer experience, and employee enablement.

    How will AI effect the shopping experience for Gap Inc’s customers?
    With AI, Gap Inc aims to create a hyper-personalised shopping experience for customers, enabling stronger storytelling and reach to a wider audience.

  • WorkJam Brings Next-Gen AI to the Frontline Workforce with Google Cloud

    WorkJam Brings Next-Gen AI to the Frontline Workforce with Google Cloud

    WorkJam Brings Next-Gen AI to the Frontline Workforce with Google Cloud

    WorkJam, the world’s leading digital frontline workplace, today announced an expansion of its strategic collaboration with Google Cloud to deliver enterprise-ready AI solutions built specifically for frontline teams. WorkJam already offers AI Agent, powered by Google’s Gemini models and cloud infrastructure, which is revolutionising how frontline organisations operate—bringing intelligent automation, productivity, and engagement to a new level and this feature will be the first of an innovative road map that will be AI-driven.

    Built on Google Cloud’s Industry-Leading AI Infrastructure

    WorkJam’s AI roadmap is engineered on Google Cloud, providing unmatched scalability, performance, and global reliability. With built-in enterprise-grade security and compliance, it is ready to meet the demands of complex industries such as retail, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing.

    Powered by Google’s Gemini Models: Multimodal Intelligence for Real-World Impact

    Leveraging Google’s Gemini models, WorkJam delivers intelligent and conversational AI that understands text, voice, and visual inputs—creating more natural, intuitive user experiences for frontline employees. From task automation and knowledge retrieval to in-the-moment support, WorkJam’s AI Agent supercharges productivity and reduces friction in everyday operations.

    An AI Vision for the Future of Frontline Work

    WorkJam’s vision is to continue to transform the frontline experience by integrating Google’s Gemini models to deliver real-time intelligence, automation, and intuitive support directly into daily workflows. By combining voice, text, and visual understanding, WorkJam empowers frontline employees with instant access to knowledge, adaptive training, and seamless task execution—regardless of language or role. This reduces friction, streamlines operations, and unburdens managers to focus on high-value work. AI will enable intelligent labour utilisation, and ensure the right people are deployed at the right time, maximising productivity, engagement, and customer impact for every customer.

    A Collaboration Driving Innovation

    This collaboration enables WorkJam to co-innovate alongside Google Cloud, gaining early access to AI advancements and accelerating delivery of cutting-edge capabilities to global customers.

    Steven Kramer, CEO, WorkJam said, “By integrating the powerful reasoning capabilities of Google’s Gemini models into the WorkJam platform, we’re redefining labour utilisation for frontline teams across the APAC region. This isn’t just about smarter scheduling—it’s about giving managers and employees real-time support to make better decisions, balance workloads, and drive productivity. With Gemini models, WorkJam ensures the right people are in the right place at the right time, improving operational efficiency while creating a more engaging and productive work environment.”

    About WorkJam

    WorkJam was founded in 2014 to improve the lives of frontline workers. As the world’s leading digital frontline workplace, WorkJam combines communication, task management, scheduling tools, learning, and more – all on one app. It is the only complete and unified system designed to revolutionize the way HQs and their frontline work together, boosting efficiencies and productivity. Available in 50 languages with in–line translations, the app helps organizations bridge language barriers and create a more inclusive working environment for all. WorkJam introduces Total Workforce Orchestration®. To learn more, visit WorkJam.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

  • Thailand, Malaysia Among the New Google Cloud Regions in APAC

    Thailand, Malaysia Among the New Google Cloud Regions in APAC

    Google has announced that it is planning to expand its cloud services in more countries in the Asia Pacific, including Malaysia and Thailand.

    The company said in a statement that the move is to meet the growing demand for cloud services in the region.Google is bringing three new Google Cloud regions to Malaysia, Thailand and New Zealand — on top of six other regions that were previously announced: Berlin, Dammam, Doha, Mexico, Tel Aviv and Turin.

    It said that these new cloud regions represent their ongoing commitment to supporting digital transformation across Asia Pacific. It added that it will continue to invest in expanding connectivity throughout the region by working with partners in the telecommunications industry to establish subsea cables — including Apricot, Echo, JGA South, INDIGO and Topaz — and points of presence in major cities.

    When launched, these new regions will add to the internet giant’s 34 cloud regions currently in operation across the globe, 11 of them located in Asia Pacific. They deliver what Google says to be high-performance services running on the cleanest cloud in the industry.

    It added that enterprises across industries, startups and public sector organizations across Asia Pacific will benefit from key controls that enable them to maintain low latency and the highest security, data residency and compliance standards, including specific data storage requirements.

    “The new Google Cloud regions will help to address organizations’ increasing needs in the area of digital sovereignty and enable more opportunities for digital transformation and innovation in Asia Pacific. With this announcement, Google Cloud is providing customers with more choices in accessing capabilities from local cloud regions while aiding their journeys to hybrid and multi-cloud environments,” said Daphne Chung, Research Director, Cloud Services and Software Research, IDC Asia/Pacific.

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  • HKT’s digital venture arm partners Google Cloud to up customer experience

    HKT’s digital venture arm partners Google Cloud to up customer experience

    HKT’s loyalty program and digital ventures arm – The Club, announces its strategic collaboration with Google Cloud to develop an innovative hyper-personalization platform, named Copernicus, to integrate into The Club’s digital ecosystem across its business pillars. Combining its strong network and database with Google Cloud’s expertise and state-of-the-art technology, The Club aims to provide customers with a uniquely tailored online digital experience.

    Through closely collaborating with many business partners, The Club has long provided its members with truly unprecedented experiences and a variety of premium services, ranging from lifestyle, shopping, travel, insurance, and much more. This time, The Club looks to Copernicus to achieve a more focused and personalized customer experience, leveraging Google Cloud’s expertise in data security and governance, data analytics and data visualization capabilities to deliver products and services geared specifically to each customer’s specific needs.

    The Club’s Data Science team will develop machine learning and AI algorithms to identify customer needs-based products and services by analysing members’ behaviors and preferences, allowing The Club to take further steps towards enhancing consumer experiences with more personalized offerings.

    Specifically, Google Cloud’s advanced data analytics technology empowers The Club to build Copernicus which enables The Club to understand each individual member’s purchasing behavior and interests more precisely and quickly on one unified platform. This in turn allows The Club to deploy more targeted and personalized marketing strategies for reaching individual members across all touchpoints of the customer journey. The Club members will benefit from tailored recommendations that match their interests and needs through their preferred channels.

    Mr. Alan Tsui, CEO of HKT’s loyalty, digital and analytics, said, “We are excited to announce this ground-breaking collaboration with Google Cloud in Copernicus. This enables us to provide the best services and products at the right time for individual members. In recent times, we have adopted data science technology to tailor exclusive rewards to selected members, piquing their already heightened interests. We firmly believe our unique in-house data capabilities, partnered with Google Cloud’s advanced technology, will lay a strong foundation for our digital transformation journey.”

    Copernicus’ machine learning ability is more than just an analysis of The Club’s extensive database. Copernicus will allow The Club to constantly optimize its performance by forecasting customers’ behaviors with prescriptive information, thereby increasing the customer base by identifying and converting the right target audience segments. The Club hopes to connect more partners and customers to The Club ecosystem. With support from this collaboration which combines HKT’s comprehensive networks with Google Cloud’s secure infrastructure and global network, Copernicus will open a whole new world of opportunities for new and existing partners from across different industries and promises enhanced services and unique experiences tailored to each individual member.

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