Google Integrates Mistral AI's Codestral with Vertex AI Platform

Google Cloud will use Mistral AI's Codestral artificial intelligence model for Google's Vertex AI service, Google Cloud said on Wednesday.

Why it’s important:

The partnership highlights the rapid growth and popularity of Mistral AI, which many analysts view as the European alternative to the Microsoft-backed  OpenAI.

Google, meanwhile, is building its own generative AI product Vertex AI.

Key quotes:

"Today, we’re announcing that Google Cloud is the first hyperscaler to introduce Codestral – Mistral AI’s first open-weight generative AI model explicitly designed for code generation tasks — as a fully-managed service."

"These additions continue Google Cloud’s commitment to open and flexible AI ecosystems that help you build solutions best-suited to your needs."

Context

Mistral AI is a Paris-based startup firm founded in 2023 by former Google Deep Mind and Meta AI scientists that has raised more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in funding.

In July, French bank BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA), opens new tab struck a partnership agreement with Mistral AI, whereby BNP Paribas will use Mistral AI's large language models across multiple business areas, such as customer support, sales and IT.

This development underscores a wider trend of global companies striving to build robust AI ecosystems. Google Cloud's adoption of Mistral AI's technology exemplifies international collaboration in harnessing advanced AI research. Similarly, firms like BNP Paribas are exploring comparable integrations, emphasizing AI's widespread influence across various sectors and its potential to transform business operations.