Spain’s BBVA has extended its partnership with Google Cloud to integrate Google Workspace with Gemini, enhancing its global operations with advanced AI tools.
The expanded partnership will provide BBVA’s 100,000 employees with secure generative AI experiences across platforms like Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Sheets.
It is expected to save employees nearly three hours weekly, allowing them to focus on strategic, customer-centric tasks.
BBVA and Google Cloud initially collaborated in 2011, focusing on digital transformation.
The latest integration will embed a collaborative assistant within Google Workspace, helping employees in summarising, drafting, and locating information across various platforms.
BBVA AI Adoption global head Elena Alfaro said: “The partnership with Google Cloud allows us to continue transforming how our teams work, make decisions, and collaborate, using the most competitive generative AI models on the market.
“We anticipate that Gemini with Workspace has the potential to simplify tasks and spark new ideas, which will significantly boost the productivity and innovation of our teams.”
BBVA workplace global head Juan Ortigosaof said: “BBVA transformed the way we work with Google Workspace more than ten years ago.
“We expect that the widespread adoption of generative AI across these tools will improve productivity and the work experience of all employees, regardless of their role, fostering a more dynamic and efficient environment.”
In addition to Google Workspace, BBVA employees will leverage the standalone Gemini app and NotebookLM, an AI-powered research and writing assistant.
The tools will aid in research, generating audio overviews, and creating reports, further enhancing productivity and collaboration.
BBVA has also introduced a mandatory training programme, ‘AI Express’, to ensure secure and responsible AI adoption.
The programme aligns with the EU’s AI Act and BBVA’s internal data protection policies.
Google Cloud Spain country manager Isaac Hernandez said: “This expanded partnership with BBVA underscores the transformative power of generative AI in the enterprise.
“Google Cloud is committed to providing the most advanced AI tools, like Gemini, to help industry leaders like BBVA unlock new levels of innovation and efficiency.
“We have been a proud partner of BBVA’s digital transformation journey for years, and we believe that this deployment of Gemini with Workspace will further empower their teams and redefine the future of banking.”
In a separate development, Ecobank and Google Cloud have announced a collaboration to transform financial services in Africa through advanced analytics and AI.
The partnership aims to enhance financial accessibility, empower African businesses, and personalise financial solutions while maintaining data privacy and security.
The agreement between Ecobank and Google Cloud will focus on simplifying money transfers, supporting SMEs, and developing user-friendly digital banking platforms.
Google Cloud’s Professional Services team will provide ongoing support to ensure the successful implementation of these transformative goals.
Ecobank group CEO Jeremy Awori said: “We look forward to leveraging Google Cloud’s world-class technology to unlock new possibilities for individuals and businesses to grow and scale across Africa.
“This collaboration signifies our shared intent to explore building a more connected and financially inclusive future for the continent.”
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said: “We look forward to exploring the ways our cutting-edge AI, powerful data analytics, and scalable infrastructure can support Ecobank efforts to fuel the continent’s economic development and digital future.”
