Build Powerful Enterprise Search with AI App Builder

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Challenges of Discoverability
3. The Ease of Use of Gen App Builder
4. Setting Up a Basic Search Engine for a Public Website
5. Searching Over the Google Cloud Website
6. Creating a Search Engine for Structured Data
7. Importing Data from BigQuery
8. Creating a Search Engine for Unstructured Data
9. Integrating the Search Engine into Applications
10. Configuring Autocomplete and Other Features
11. Controlling Settings for Structured Data
12. Analyzing Search Engine Metrics
13. The Benefits of Enterprise Search
14. Getting Started with Generative App Builder
15. Conclusion

Integrating Generative AI into Applications with Gen App Builder

Generative AI App Builder is a powerful tool offered by Google Cloud that enables developers to integrate generative AI into their applications with minimal setup. In this article, we will explore the process of integrating generative AI into applications and how it can enhance the search capabilities of these applications. We will discuss the challenges of discoverability and how Gen App Builder can address them. We will also walk through the steps of setting up a basic search engine for a public website and explore the options for structured and unstructured data. Additionally, we will cover the integration of the search engine into applications and the various configuration options available. Finally, we will discuss the benefits of enterprise search and provide information on how to get started with Generative App Builder. So let's dive in and discover how to harness the power of search in your applications.

1. Introduction

In today's digital age, the ability to quickly and efficiently find information is crucial. Whether it's for employees within an organization or customers searching for specific data, the discoverability of information plays a critical role. However, oftentimes, data is scattered across various sources, making it challenging to find the desired information. This is where generative AI and tools like Gen App Builder become invaluable.

2. The Challenges of Discoverability

The discoverability of information is a common challenge faced by many organizations. Data can be spread across different platforms such as documents, databases, and web pages, making it difficult for users to locate the information they need. This lack of discoverability can lead to wasted time and effort searching for data, impacting productivity and hampering decision-making processes.

3. The Ease of Use of Gen App Builder

One of the standout features of Gen App Builder is its ease of use for developers. With minimal coding required, developers can Create applications focused around search and chat experiences. This means that even developers with limited experience can leverage the power of generative AI to enhance their applications' search capabilities.

4. Setting Up a Basic Search Engine for a Public Website

To demonstrate the capabilities of Gen App Builder, let's walk through the process of setting up a basic search engine for a public website. This will allow users to search for specific information within the website, enabling a more efficient and user-friendly experience.

To begin, navigate to the Generative AI App Builder section in the Google Cloud console. Enable the API and select "Create a Search Engine." Provide a name for the search engine and choose the data Type. In this case, we will focus on setting up the search engine for a website.

5. Searching Over the Google Cloud Website

Once the search engine has been created, the next step is to add the websites to include in the search. By opening the Advanced view, it is also possible to exclude certain sites from the search. For this example, we will be searching over the Google Cloud website, specifically cloud.google.com.

After setting up the website, a view of the URLs included in the search engine will be available. Additional websites can also be added if needed. With just a few clicks, the search engine will rapidly index the website, making it readily searchable.

6. Creating a Search Engine for Structured Data

In addition to searching websites, Gen App Builder also allows the creation of search engines for structured data. This offers the ability to search through structured datasets, such as data imported from BigQuery or stored in a structured format like JSON.

For structured data, importing the data from Cloud Storage or BigQuery requires minimal setup. The tool automatically determines the schema, reducing the effort required from developers. Once the data import is complete, the search engine can be tested, similar to the process for the website search engine.

7. Importing Data from BigQuery

To illustrate the process of importing data from BigQuery, let's use a public dataset of movies that can be found on Kaggle. Importing the data is straightforward, as the tool handles the schema automatically. Once the import is finished, the search engine is ready to be tested.

8. Creating a Search Engine for Unstructured Data

Unstructured data, such as PDF files or other document formats, can also be searched using Gen App Builder. This type of data does not follow a predefined schema, making it more challenging to search. However, with Gen App Builder, creating a search engine for unstructured data is a Simplified process.

Similar to structured data, unstructured data can be imported from Cloud Storage. For example, Alphabet earnings reports can be imported as PDF files. Once imported, the search engine enables users to search through the files to find specific information.

9. Integrating the Search Engine into Applications

After creating and testing the search engines, the next step is to integrate them into applications. Gen App Builder provides simple ways to integrate the search engine into applications through pre-written API calls and code samples. Developers can also choose to create their own user interface or directly embed the search engine into websites using HTML code.

To further customize the search engine integration, the Configure menu provides access to widget settings. Here, developers can configure autocomplete features and other options specific to their application requirements. For structured data, fields such as movie title, description, ratings, and thumbnail images can be controlled.

10. Configuring Autocomplete and Other Features

The widget settings in the Configure menu offer additional customization options for the search engine. Autocomplete can be configured to provide suggestions to users as they type, enhancing the search experience. Other features, such as the number of search results displayed per page or the inclusion of Spell checking, can also be adjusted.

11. Controlling Settings for Structured Data

For search engines that use structured data, developers have even more control over the search engine settings. Specifically, fields that are shown in the widget, such as movie title, description, and ratings, can be selected. The inclusion of thumbnail images provides users with visual cues that further enhance the search experience.

12. Analyzing Search Engine Metrics

To gain insights into the performance of the search engine, Gen App Builder provides an Analytics page. Here, developers can view aggregate metrics, including session information, click-through rate, top queries, and devices used. These metrics enable developers to understand how users Interact with the search engine and make informed decisions for further enhancements.

13. The Benefits of Enterprise Search

One of the major advantages of Gen App Builder and enterprise search is the out-of-the-box developer experience it provides. Whether searching web pages, tabular data, or documents like PDF files, Gen App Builder simplifies the process by automatically building the schema and search index for the data. This saves developers valuable time and effort, allowing them to focus on other crucial aspects of application development.

14. Getting Started with Generative App Builder

If You're excited to get started with Generative App Builder, you can Apply for early access through the trusted testers page on the Google Cloud website. Once granted access, follow the provided guide to begin building your first search engine. Keep in mind that Generative App Builder will be publicly available later this year, providing even more developers with the capability to integrate generative AI into their applications.

15. Conclusion

In conclusion, Gen App Builder is a powerful tool that simplifies the integration of generative AI into applications. Whether you need to enhance the search capabilities of a public website or search through structured or unstructured data, Gen App Builder provides a user-friendly solution. The ease of use, customization options, and analytics capabilities make it a valuable tool for developers seeking to improve the discoverability and search experiences of their applications. So why wait? Apply for early access and unlock the power of generative AI in your applications today.

Highlights:

• Gen App Builder allows easy integration of generative AI into applications without extensive setup.
• Scattered data across various sources can make it challenging to find information, but Gen App Builder can address this issue.
• Setting up a basic search engine for a public website is made simple with Gen App Builder.
• Gen App Builder enables the search of structured and unstructured data from sources like BigQuery and Cloud Storage.
• The integration of the search engine into applications can be done through pre-written API calls or HTML code embedding.
• Configuration options like autocomplete and field selection enhance the search engine's functionality.
• Analytics offer insights into search engine performance, allowing for data-driven improvements.
• Gen App Builder simplifies enterprise search, automatically building schemas and search indexes.
• Early access to Generative App Builder is available, with public availability coming later this year.

FAQs

Q: What is Gen App Builder?

A: Gen App Builder is a tool provided by Google Cloud that allows developers to easily integrate generative AI into their applications.

Q: How does Gen App Builder address the challenge of discoverability?

A: Gen App Builder provides a user-friendly solution to address the challenge of scattered data across various sources, making it easier to find information.

Q: Can I search structured data using Gen App Builder?

A: Yes, Gen App Builder allows the creation of search engines for structured data, such as data imported from platforms like BigQuery.

Q: Is it possible to analyze the performance of the search engine created with Gen App Builder?

A: Yes, Gen App Builder offers an Analytics page where developers can view metrics like session information, click-through rate, top queries, and devices used.

Q: How can I get started with Generative App Builder?

A: You can apply for early access through the trusted testers page on the Google Cloud website, and once granted access, follow the provided guide to start building your first search engine.