Google’s Generative AI App Builder: What To Expect

The AI race is intensifying. Against Open AI’s GPT-4 launch, Google announced its Generative AI App Builder — a new way for small businesses and government agencies to build and deploy generative AI apps in minutes, not months.

Let’s unpack the impact of this announcement, explore use cases and examples, and discuss what to expect.

The need for Google’s Generative AI App Builder

The world is quickly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors. One area where AI has made significant strides is in creating chat interfaces and digital assistants.

Conversational AI, which includes chatbots and digital assistants, has become increasingly popular among organizations looking to streamline customer support, enhance the user experience, and improve communication.

According to Google's announcement, businesses and developers now have a powerful tool to build customized, AI-driven conversational agents in minutes and days.

To be clear, small businesses could already create and deploy in-house apps. Platforms like AppSheet (also owned by Google) and GlideApps allow businesses to build apps without code.?

This latest iteration merely extends those capabilities with AI.

Generative AI App Builder: 5 use cases and examples

Google’s Generative AI App Builder unlocks use cases across various industries. Below are a few examples:

1. AI-powered customer support chatbots
2. Personalized virtual assistants for professionals
3. Tailored experiences for e-commerce and retail businesses
4. Assisted patient interactions in healthcare
5. Streamlined government services and public sector services

Let’s dig into each one.

1. AI-powered customer support chatbots

Customer support is critical to any business, and AI-powered chatbots can significantly enhance the support experience.

74% of internet users prefer using chatbots when looking for answers to simple questions, and 62% of consumers prefer a customer service bot to waiting for human agents to answer their requests.

With Google’s Generative AI App Builder, businesses can create intelligent chatbots to understand customer questions, provide accurate responses, and even escalate complex issues to human agents when necessary.

This improves customer satisfaction and helps businesses save time and resources.

2. Personalized virtual assistants for business owners

Virtual assistants have become indispensable tools for busy professionals. At last count, the virtual assistance industry was worth over $100bn.?

However, finding, hiring, and onboarding these assistants can take up valuable time. AI-driven assistants can more quickly help founders stay organized, save time, and focus on more critical tasks.?

Founders (or their developer contractors) can create personalized virtual assistants that understand their preferences, schedule meetings, manage emails, and even provide tailored news updates.

Naturally, the live VA industry may be affected if the AI VA trend takes off.

3. Tailored experiences for e-commerce and retail businesses

AI in retail is expected to be worth $45.74bn by 2032. Using the Generative AI App Builder, e-commerce businesses can create personalized shopping experiences, offer product recommendations, and handle orders and returns.?

A more effortless shopping experience could translate into more revenue and lower costs for e-commerce businesses.

The result? A more engaging and user-centric shopping experience, which increases customer loyalty and conversion rates.

4. Assisted patient interactions in healthcare

AI in healthcare was valued at $15.4bn in 2022, and this number will only increase as more healthcare orgs build out customized solutions.?

With Google’s Generative AI App Builder, healthcare providers can create intelligent agents that assist patients with appointment scheduling and medication reminders and even answer health-related questions.

With telemedicine already here to stay, adding AI to the mix could unlock productivity and revenue gains and bring down the cost of healthcare for everyone.

5. Streamlined government services and public sector services

ReportLinker predicts the global citizen services AI market at $48.6 billion by 2028. Expect this number to rise as government agencies worldwide unlock the power of AI in their workflows.

Government agencies can create intelligent agents that provide citizens with information on various services, help them navigate bureaucratic processes, and answer frequently asked questions.

For example, government ministries may be able to create and deploy apps to expedite visa applications at congested immigration headquarters or to ease property payments at deed offices.

What else can we expect from Google’s Generative AI App Builder?

We can expect various features and capabilities that make the development process seamless and efficient over the next few months and years. Here are just a few:

1. Seamless integration with Google Cloud's existing AI solutions: The Generative AI App Builder allows developers to build upon Google's powerful AI models and tools.
2. Customizable conversational flows and out-of-the-box search experiences: Developers can ensure their AI-driven chat interfaces and digital assistants are engaging and provide relevant answers to users.
3. Integrations: Businesses and organizations could build AI apps that integrate with other tools in their tech stacks, such as CRM software or CMSes.
4. Support for multiple languages and industry-specific requirements: Accommodating different verticals and locales ensures AI-driven chat interfaces and digital assistants can cater to users across domains and countries.

Google’s Generative AI App Builder democratizes AI for small businesses and governments. Look out for impending progress on it over the next few months!

I run Column, a data storytelling content studio.