The partnership will initially focus on Unilever’s global AI lab, called Horizon3 Labs, which recently opened in Toronto, a city that is also home to Accenture’s six generative AI studios in North America.

Then two companies will explore new applications to scale generative AI, for example using Accenture’s AI Navigator tool or its Switchboard service, which allows a user to combine models to address business challenges.

Accenture has previously announced a $3bn investment in data and AI, and will connect Unilever with its data and AI specialist teams as part of the partnership.

Julie Sweet, chair and chief executive at Accenture, said: “This collaboration builds on our relationship of more than three decades with Unilever, which continues to raise the bar as a digital powerhouse and industry leader.

“The combination of Horizon3 Labs’ disruptive innovation with Accenture’s deep expertise and strong ecosystem partnerships will help Unilever scale AI and generative AI more rapidly and responsibly across its business and discover new pathways to value.”

Steve McCrystal, chief enterprise and technology officer at Unilever, added: “We are excited about building on our long-standing partnership with Accenture to step up our innovation agenda and drive value for our consumers, retailers and distributors.

“Horizon3 Labs is a unique platform for collaboration and co-creation, and we look forward to working with Accenture and other partners to take our investment in AI to a new level.”