Google Cloud's AI push helps fuel Bunnings innovation

Google Cloud is actively promoting the integration of artificial intelligence into core business strategies, moving beyond simple model deployment to focus on building scalable, enterprise-ready AI systems. This approach was highlighted by Paul Migliorini, Google Cloud's Australia and New Zealand VP, during a keynote speech at the Google Cloud Summit in Sydney. He emphasized that a "full-stack approach" is crucial for unlocking the potential of the agent layer, specifically referencing the Gemini Enterprise agent platform, which enables organizations to scale, govern, and optimize their AI systems for enduring results. A prime example of this strategic AI implementation is Bunnings, a prominent retail chain. According to Genevieve Elliott, Bunnings' CIO, the company is prioritizing long-term value, productivity, and customer impact through AI, rather than treating it as an isolated experiment. Bunnings is in the process of deploying an AI-powered agent, dubbed "Buddy," designed to assist customers with comprehensive project guidance. This agent, built on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and utilizing Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience (CX AI), is slated for a New Zealand launch later in the year. Elliott stressed that AI is "integral to our overall business ambition" and "embedded in all that we do to drive productivity for our team so that they can serve our customers better and deliver the best experience possible." Bunnings has been on an AI journey for five years, using it for personalized offers, faster quotes, and factoring in weather for marketing. Over the past 18 months, they have significantly accelerated their AI delivery, building on existing foundations and harnessing new capabilities from foundational models. The introduction of Buddy represents a significant evolution from Bunnings' previous first-generation chatbot, "Ask Bunnings AI," which primarily unlocked their 15-year archive of DIY content. Buddy, built in just over six weeks, has already replaced the website chat and shifted e-commerce from simple product searches to project-based searches. This agentic AI system allows customers to describe a project, like building an outdoor deck, and receive recommendations for all necessary materials, tools, and links to instructional videos. The multimodal capabilities of Buddy also enable customers to upload handwritten shopping lists or images of broken parts for identification and location within Bunnings' inventory.