Merck signs AI cloud deal

Merck said on April 22 it will partner with Google Cloud to roll out Gemini Enterprise across its operations as the drugmaker pushes deeper into artificial intelligence. (merck.com) The companies announced the deal at Google Cloud Next 2026 in Las Vegas, and Merck said the work will span research, manufacturing and corporate functions. Merck said it wants a stronger “digital backbone” for what it called an AI-enabled enterprise. (merck.com) Investing.com described the agreement as a multi-year partnership worth up to about $1 billion, citing the companies’ announcement. Reuters separately reported on April 22 that Merck would use Google Cloud to build up its artificial intelligence capabilities. (investing.com 1) (investing.com 2) Gemini Enterprise is Google Cloud’s workplace artificial-intelligence platform: employees can search company data, ask questions in chat, and use software “agents” that carry out tasks across connected systems. Google says the product includes connectors to tools such as Jira, Confluence, Microsoft SharePoint and ServiceNow. (cloud.google.com) (docs.cloud.google.com) Google’s documentation says Gemini Enterprise is built around data sources, assistants, actions and agents, which lets companies move from simple chatbot prompts to workflow automation. In practice, that means using one interface to find internal information and trigger follow-on work inside business software. (docs.cloud.google.com 1) (docs.cloud.google.com 2) Merck said the partnership is aimed at “business-driving value, innovation and patient impact,” language that places the project beyond pilot programs and into core operating systems. The company framed the rollout as part of its next phase of biopharmaceutical growth. (merck.com) Google launched Gemini Enterprise in late 2025 as what it called a “front door” for workplace AI, with an emphasis on agent-based tools for employees rather than standalone model access. Its partner ecosystem now includes thousands of third-party agents, according to Google Cloud. (cloud.google.com 1) (cloud.google.com 2) For Merck, the deal fits a broader pattern in which large companies are signing vendor-led AI contracts tied to specific workflows, security controls and cloud infrastructure. The opening announcement was less about a single chatbot and more about wiring AI into day-to-day work across the company. (merck.com) (cloud.google.com)