BNP Paribas Keeps Sensitive Data Off Google's Public Cloud

BNP Paribas has signed a five-year cloud and AI partnership agreement with Google. Despite this, the bank will keep some sensitive customer data and critical operations off public cloud infrastructure. According to Marc Camus, BNP Group Chief Information Officer, 'The fact that we signed this agreement with Google doesn't mean that we will get rid of our on-premise infrastructure.'

The partnership gives BNP access to Google's public-cloud infrastructure and Gemini models for developing AI agents. However, the bank will only use these tools for less sensitive business functions like invoice processing and internal data management. Highly confidential data, such as medical information held by its insurance operations, will stay off the public cloud.

The agreement does not mark a wholesale move to Google's cloud infrastructure. BNP Paribas will continue to maintain its on-premise systems and partnerships with other AI providers, including Mistral, an French AI company. The bank sees scope for using Google technology in various applications but wants to retain control over its data.