Loblaw partners with Shakudo to centralize AI development across retail operations

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. signs partnership deal with Canadian AI firm Shakudo

Under the agreement, Loblaw will use the platform to build and run AI applications, creating a centralized and consistent environment for its teams. As part of its AI strategy, the retailer says it's establishing internal protocols that allow AI applications to securely interact with enterprise systems. Charu Pujari, senior vice-president, Engineering and AI at Loblaw, says the partnership with Shakudo gives its teams a common platform to build on. Pujari says that will allow them to focus on solving real problems instead of reinventing core plumbing. Loblaw is the parent company to the Loblaws grocery stores and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Loblaw Partners with Shakudo to Centralize, Speed Up AI Development

Canadian grocer Loblaw is partnering with Shakudo to help standardize and speed up how it builds and deploys artificial intelligence across the company. Loblaw said Monday that Shakudo's platform will let its teams build AI tools that connect directly to the company's internal systems, making it easier to roll out new technology across the business while keeping control over how it works. Shakudo's platform lets companies build and run AI systems inside their own digital infrastructure, without sending data to third parties, and offers standard tools for developing AI while keeping all data stored and controlled internally. The company said the setup is meant to prevent teams from building separate, incompatible systems and to give Loblaw a more consistent way to manage AI across its operations. Write to Adriano Marchese at [email protected]