Snowflake Cortex AI
AI and machine learning capabilities in Snowflake
- Data & analytics · editorial fit
Overview
Snowflake Cortex AI is the set of managed AI services inside Snowflake for analyzing unstructured data, calling language and embedding models, building retrieval and search experiences, and creating governed AI agents over data that already lives in Snowflake. Users can work through SQL, Python, REST APIs, and Snowflake product interfaces.
The product is infrastructure for data and engineering teams rather than a standalone consumer chatbot. It includes AI Functions, model APIs, Cortex Search, Cortex Analyst, and Cortex Agents, with role-based access and usage records tied to the surrounding Snowflake account.
Supported use cases
Analyze unstructured data in the warehouse
Classify, summarize, extract, or enrich text and documents without moving the source data into a separate application.
Build a governed RAG application
Index enterprise data with Cortex Search and expose it through an application or agent.
Create a conversational data agent
Combine governed semantic analysis and tools so users can ask questions about Snowflake data.
Limitations
Account, role, and region constraints
Feature and model availability varies by Snowflake region and lifecycle status, and users need the relevant account privileges and database roles.
Usage-based costs are additive
AI Credits or Platform Credits apply by feature, and underlying warehouse, storage, or data-transfer costs may also apply.
Key capabilities
AI functions in SQL and Python
Runs generation, classification, filtering, summarization, extraction, embeddings, translation, and document parsing over Snowflake data.
Retrieval and semantic search
Builds Cortex Search services for retrieval-augmented generation and semantic discovery.
Data analysis and agents
Uses Cortex Analyst and Cortex Agents to answer questions, generate SQL, and coordinate tools over governed data.
Managed model access
Provides Snowflake-hosted access to models from multiple vendors through functions and REST APIs.
Related tools
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