How to Create a GCP Service Account for use with Vertex AI

This how to article gives you step-by-step instructions for creating a Google Vertex service account with credentials in Google Cloud Platform. It will also show you how to configure an integration from Vectorize to Google Vertex AI as part of a RAG pipeline.

Before you begin

Before starting, ensure you have access to the credentials, connection parameters, and API keys as appropriate for the following:

• A Vectorize account (Create one free here ↗)

• A GCP Cloud Account (Create one free here ↗)

Enable the Vertex AI API

1. Open Google Cloud Console

   • Navigate to the Google Cloud Console.

   • Make sure you are working in the correct project.

2. Go to APIs & Services

   • From the dashboard, locate the "APIs & Services" option in the quick access section.

   • Click on APIs & Services.

   

   Go to APIs & Services
3. Enable Cloud Storage API

   • Click on ENABLE APIS AND SERVICES.

   

   Enable APIs & Services

   • In the API library, use the search box and type Vertex AI to locate the API.

   

   Search for Google Vertex AI

   • From the search results, click on the Vertex AI Option option from Google Enterprise API.

   

   Select Vertex AI API

   • On the Vertex AI API details page, click ENABLE.

   • If the API is already enabled, you can go to the next step.

   

   Enable Vertex AI API

Set Up the Service Account

1. Navigate to APIs & Services > Credentials.

Navigate to Credentials

1. Click CREATE CREDENTIALS, then click Service account.

Create Credentials

1. Fill in your service details

• Provide a Service account name, this will automatically populate the Service account ID field as well

• Click on CREATE AND CONTINUE, making sure you're clicking the button shown and NOT the more prominent DONE button.

Create a Service Accounts

1. Assign roles to your service account

• In the role selection section, grant the Viewer role for the service account.

Grant Viewer Role

1. Finalizing the Service Account

   • To finalize the setup, click DONE to complete the creation of the service account.

   

   Click Done

Step 4: Create Keys for the Service Account

1. Select the Service Account

   • After creating the service account, you should see a list with the new service account listed.

   • If you left that page, you can always get to it by going to IAM & Admin > Service Accounts using upper left "hamburger" menu.

   • Click on the service account email to manage it.

   

   Select Service Account
2. Go to the Keys Tab

   • Once in the service account details, navigate to the KEYS tab.

   

   Go to Keys Tab
3. Add a New Key

   • Open the ADD KEY dropdown

   

   Add Key
4. Select Create new key to generate a new key for this service account.

   

   Create New Key
5. Create a JSON Key

   • When prompted, select the JSON key type and click CREATE.

   

   Save the Key
6. Save the Key

   • A JSON file will be downloaded. Save this file securely as it contains the private key for your service account.

   • Make sure to keep this key file secure, as it cannot be recovered if lost.

   

   Key File Download