Michelle ThompsonNTT Data is the first Japanese provider to offer OpenAI services, including distributing ChatGPT Enterprise and creating tailored Gen AI agents for various industries.
The push to bring Gen AI into enterprise use has accelerated with NTT Data forming a strategic alliance with OpenAI.
This marks a significant step for Asia’s AI landscape, as NTT Data becomes Japan’s first authorised distributor of ChatGPT Enterprise.
The partnership emerges amid ongoing challenges in AI adoption across Asia, where businesses are eager to explore Gen AI but face barriers such as data security risks, complex integration, and limited skilled talent.
To address these issues, the collaboration combines NTT Data’s integration capabilities with OpenAI’s generative AI, which leverages ML models to produce content like text, visuals, and code from training data.
By pairing advanced technology with deployment expertise, the alliance helps bridge a critical gap where organisations understand AI’s potential but struggle to implement it effectively.
NTT Data becomes Japan’s first official distributor of OpenAI services.
NTT Data intends to roll out OpenAI’s acceleration programme to 100 major firms, offering expert support to develop practical use cases.
This initiative helps organisations embed AI tools into their operations through customised strategies, tackling the frequent issue of turning AI potential into real business impact.
The move also reflects NTT Data’s broader AI growth under its ‘SmartAgent’ framework, where AI autonomously executes tasks from business directives.
The initial focus will be on Japan, with plans to expand into Europe (including Spain), North America, and the Asia-Pacific region.
NTT Data and OpenAI are providing enterprise-level AI deployment solutions, combining advanced technology with practical implementation expertise.
As Japan’s first OpenAI distributor, NTT Data will develop deployment frameworks for ChatGPT Enterprise—an AI solution tailored for businesses with strengthened security and customisation features.
This platform enables firms to train AI on their internal data and systems, creating assistants that grasp company-specific knowledge and workflows.
NTT Data will also roll out ChatGPT Enterprise within its global workforce, both to refine its deployment approach and to enhance its own internal operations.
Yutaka Sasaki, NTT Data’s President and CEO
“Gen AI has the potential to fundamentally change corporate activities,” says Yutaka Sasaki, President and CEO of NTT Data.
“By merging NTT Data Group’s global system integration expertise with OpenAI’s cutting-edge AI technology, we aim to accelerate our customers’ business transformations and contribute to building a sustainable society.”
NTT Data’s AI agents are transforming capabilities across various industries, enhancing operations and driving innovation through tailored solutions.
NTT Data and OpenAI are creating specialised AI agents for industries such as finance, manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and the public sector.
These agents will merge OpenAI’s foundational models with NTT Data’s industry expertise.
NTT Data has already started large-scale use of the OpenAI API, enabling developers to create applications with OpenAI’s models.
“By combining our industry knowledge with OpenAI’s advanced models, we will create AI agents capable of representing people across various sectors, offering a new form of workforce,” NTT Data stated.
This strategy supports NTT Data’s ‘SmartAgent’ concept, where AI systems autonomously manage complex workflows after receiving high-level human instructions.
The Centre of Excellence
To bolster the partnership, NTT Data will create an ‘OpenAI Center of Excellence’ (CoE), a dedicated unit focused on OpenAI services.
The centre will act as a knowledge hub for integrating OpenAI technologies into business environments.
NTT Data boasts “tens of thousands of practical Gen AI experts” within its workforce, forming the core of this specialist team. These experts will assist clients in overcoming the technical and organisational hurdles of AI adoption.
Beyond technical support, NTT Data will deploy Gen AI consultants to offer comprehensive guidance throughout the implementation, usage, and operational stages.
NTT Data and OpenAI’s collaboration moving forward.
NTT Data aims to broaden its services around the SmartAgent concept to tackle business issues like workforce shortages and productivity constraints.
CEO of OpenAI Japan, LLC, Tadao Nagasaki
Tadao Nagasaki, CEO of OpenAI Japan, LLC, states: “OpenAI is committed to delivering AI that is both safe and accessible through advanced technology, enhancing productivity.
“The NTT Data Group’s rollout of ChatGPT Enterprise and the OpenAI API represents a significant business transformation initiative, targeting both domestic and international markets, which we strongly support.
“We hope this launch will further increase the adoption of Gen AI, boosting business efficiency and fostering new innovations.”
NTT Data Group envisions a future where Gen AI reshapes its operations and those of its clients by establishing governance and actively promoting AI adoption.
“We will continue to strengthen our partnership, jointly shaping the future of AI integration in Japanese businesses,” Nagasaki added.
Emily Martinez
