NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) has named Purina as the first publicly announced client in its ConnectAI Charter Program, a program that embeds NIQ engineers and data scientists within client technology environments to integrate consumer and market intelligence into AI workflows.

According to a company statement, five global organizations across personal care, pet care, beauty and beverages have joined the charter program. Additional client announcements and case studies are expected as engagements progress.

Through the program, NIQ forward-deployed engineers and data scientists work inside Purina's technology environment to explore how NIQ consumer and market data can support AI-enabled workstreams.

"Purina is working with NIQ to explore how its trusted intelligence can be incorporated into Purina's everyday, AI-enabled workstreams, helping our teams access relevant consumer insights more efficiently and make informed decisions with greater confidence," said Brian Donovan of Strategy and Insights at Purina.

ConnectAI is described as an early offering within NIQ's broader "Intelligence that Fuels AI" strategy. The model allows clients to use NIQ's proprietary data, models, product content and analytical constructs within their own AI environments, combined with client data and systems.

"ConnectAI gives clients greater access to NIQ's uniquely detailed intelligence while keeping our proprietary data and models protected," said Jim Peck, Chairman and CEO of NIQ.

Each charter engagement includes a dedicated team that configures agents and decision workflows around the client's operations, systems and priorities. Potential use cases include demand forecasting, competitive intelligence, retail and shelf-assortment decisions, and consumer trend detection.

NIQ said it plans to add more charter clients in the next phase of the program, including retailers. The program is currently limited to an initial group of charter engagements, with insights from those collaborations expected to inform future expansion.