Real-World AI Success: What's Working

Google Cloud has been pivotal in driving business transformation through AI and data solutions. Their collaboration with partners like 66degrees has enabled companies to modernize their data infrastructure and harness AI to solve complex business challenges.

In an exclusive interview, Ben Kessler, CEO of 66degrees sat down with CRNtv to share insights on how the partnership with Google Cloud has been instrumental in delivering real business value to their global customer base.

Tell me about 66degrees, your customers, and your Google Cloud partnership.

Ben Kessler: 66degrees is an AI and data consultancy with about 400 employees and a global footprint. Our vision is to shape the future of work by harnessing the power of AI and data in the cloud. While we can't bring thousands of resources, we offer deep expertise in technology, particularly Google technology. We focus on building custom last-mile AI solutions, modernizing companies' data, and moving applications to the cloud to ensure readiness and security. Our primary customer base is in North America, and we partner closely with Google, providing expertise while Google offers world-class technology.

66degrees has gone through some transformations. Can you talk about this and how Google Cloud supported you?

Ben Kessler: We've recently transformed from a cloud and data services-led business to an AI-led services business. We saw demand for moving POCs into production to address business issues. We added data scientists and CCAI specialists, growing our team by 900 percent over the past 18 months. We also changed our go-to-market strategy, focusing on solving business problems and re-architecting processes with AI. Google supported us by funding initial POCs and providing training for our engineers on Google technologies.

Can you give us some use cases you're seeing with Gen.AI from your clients?

Ben Kessler: Sure, I'll share two examples. One is a horizontal use case—a specialized lease agent that reviews leases and provides a redlined contract with next steps. This process, which used to take hours, can now be done in minutes. Another use case is in retail, where we used Gemini to populate a product catalog with images and descriptions, saving time and increasing revenue. Gemini also translated descriptions into other languages, further enhancing the customer experience.

From a partner perspective, why is Google Cloud a standout?

Ben Kessler: Google Cloud offers a full-stack solution, unlike competitors which often provide piecemeal services. Google manages everything from the chip to the data center, including data locations like BigQuery. This unified approach allows for faster innovation and a streamlined customer experience. Partners like us can then provide tailored services to solve specific problems for end customers. Technology alone isn't enough; it's about re-architecting business processes and managing change. The partner's role is crucial in helping clients adopt and leverage new technologies effectively.

Learn more about Google Cloud and their full stack of solutions.