Unilever and Accenture: Pioneering New Frontiers in Generative AI

Unilever and Accenture: Pioneering New Frontiers in Generative AI

Updated on: October 8, 2024 5:01 am GMT

NEW YORK and LONDON; September 5, 2024 – Unilever has taken a significant step forward in its digital transformation strategy by expanding its partnership with global professional services company Accenture. This multi-year collaboration aims to leverage generative AI to enhance operational efficiencies and business agility across Unilever’s expansive portfolio of products, which serves millions of consumers worldwide.

A New Standard in Generative AI Productivity

The strategic alliance between Unilever and Accenture is designed to set an industry benchmark for generative AI-powered productivity. As part of this program, Unilever plans to scale successful use cases that have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing costs and improving operational efficiency globally. The initiative is a part of Unilever’s broader action plan focused on delivering accelerated growth and maximizing performance across its operations.

Hein Schumacher, CEO of Unilever, stated, “We have already introduced 500 AI applications across Unilever, helping us to reach new levels of efficiency. But as AI matures and becomes increasingly intelligent and intuitive, we see so much more potential. Now, as part of our action plan to deliver faster growth, drive productivity, and dial up performance, we’re going deeper.”

Leveraging Accenture’s GenWizard Platform

Central to this partnership is Accenture’s GenWizard platform, which offers over 350 patents and a suite of tools and frameworks tailored to meet various technology objectives. This comprehensive platform is expected to accelerate Unilever’s technology and digital product development efforts.

Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “This next exciting chapter in our decades-long relationship with Unilever will raise the bar on how enterprises can scale generative AI to power productivity and value at speed.” She emphasized that the GenWizard platform will allow Unilever to create targeted generative AI solutions that enable efficiency, reduce costs, and foster competitive advantages in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Building on Prior Initiatives

This expansion of partnership builds on previous efforts undertaken by Accenture and Unilever to explore the applications of generative AI within the company’s operations. Unilever is focused on identifying and testing new AI concepts and designs through its Horizon3 Labs, aimed at innovating solutions that deliver significant return on investment (ROI).

With an initial partnership that established a foundational “switchboard” platform, Unilever was able to select different AI models to address distinct business challenges. This agile approach has allowed the company to expedite its scale of AI initiatives, paving the way for broader use of generative AI technologies throughout its operations.

Unilever’s Commitment to Innovation

Unilever’s strategic decision to enhance its generative AI capabilities is emblematic of the company’s commitment to innovation and modern technology. Alongside its partnership with Accenture, Unilever is also exploring momentum in next-generation technologies, including a collaboration with Microsoft aimed at preparing for quantum computing applications within product development.

This dual approach positions Unilever to stay at the forefront of a rapidly evolving technological landscape, focusing not only on generative AI but also on future innovations that could redefine product development and operational strategies across its global supply chain.

About Unilever and Accenture

Unilever is a leading global supplier of Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition, and Ice Cream products, with its offerings reaching over 3.4 billion consumers in more than 190 countries. The company reported sales of €59.6 billion in 2023, backed by a workforce of approximately 128,000 employees. For further information about Unilever, visit www.unilever.com .

Accenture is a distinguished global professional services company that assists leading businesses, governments, and organizations in building their digital core and optimizing operations. The company integrates technology, data, and AI with extensive industry expertise to drive tangible outcomes for clients across more than 120 countries. Learn more about Accenture at www.accenture.com.

Looking ahead

Unilever and Accenture are starting an exciting journey to use generative AI, which is a type of smart technology. Together, they want to change how things are done in the consumer products industry by making them faster and better. Both companies believe in using the latest technology to help them grow and stay ahead in a world that is always changing.

I’m Anindita, a financial content writer with 5 years of dedicated experience, specializing in market research and ghostwriting for investments, the stock market, and personal finance. My journey has been marked by continuous evolution and refinement in storytelling, allowing me to distill complex financial concepts into compelling narratives that resonate with both novice and seasoned investors.

Exit mobile version