# Snowflake Cortex

Generative AI features in Snowflake that run language models next to warehouse data via SQL and APIs.

- Company: Snowflake
- Category: Data & Analytics
- Business model: Paid
- Availability: global
- Launched: 2023
- Tags: data-analytics, llm, warehouse
- Website: https://www.snowflake.com/en/product/features/cortex/
- Canonical URL: https://globalaiproductindex.com/products/snowflake-cortex/
- Record updated: 2026-09-10

Snowflake Cortex is Snowflake's generative AI layer for running language models next to governed warehouse data. Teams call models through SQL or interfaces to summarize, search, and build assistants without moving data out of Snowflake's controls. Cortex is billed as Snowflake usage, not a standalone consumer app.

## Key features

- LLM functions callable from SQL next to warehouse data
- Document and conversation processing inside Snowflake
- Assistants built on governed enterprise data
- Access to frontier and Snowflake-hosted models

## Use cases

- Asking questions of warehouse tables in natural language
- Summarizing documents stored with enterprise data
- Building internal assistants that stay inside Snowflake governance

## Pricing

Snowflake Cortex is billed as Snowflake consumption (credits), not a separate consumer subscription.

## FAQ

**What is Snowflake Cortex?**

Cortex is Snowflake's generative AI layer for running language models next to data in the Snowflake warehouse.

**Is Cortex a standalone chatbot?**

No. It is used from SQL and Snowflake interfaces on top of existing Snowflake accounts.

**Where is the documentation?**

Snowflake publishes Cortex documentation under Snowflake AI and ML in its docs site.

## Sources

- [Official website](https://www.snowflake.com/en/product/features/cortex/)
- [Documentation](https://docs.snowflake.com/en/user-guide/snowflake-cortex/overview)

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Data from the [Global AI Product Index](https://globalaiproductindex.com/), licensed CC BY 4.0.