In a major boost to Asia’s AI landscape, NTT Data has officially partnered with OpenAI to accelerate the adoption of generative AI (Gen AI) in enterprise settings. The deal makes NTT Data the first official distributor of ChatGPT Enterprise in Japan, marking a pivotal moment for AI commercialization in the region.
The strategic alliance aims to tackle key challenges in enterprise AI adoption—ranging from data privacy and integration hurdles to talent shortages—by combining NTT Data’s deep expertise in system integration with OpenAI’s world-class Gen AI technology. This collaboration bridges the gap between AI theory and practical deployment, helping organizations unlock real business value from advanced machine learning models.
A Tailored Approach to Enterprise AI Implementation
NTT Data will roll out OpenAI’s enterprise acceleration program to 100 leading companies in Japan. The initiative will support each client with tailored AI use cases, ensuring successful integration into existing workflows. This program focuses on turning AI potential into measurable outcomes, guided by a team of experts.
The partnership also strengthens NTT Data’s AI roadmap under its SmartAgent concept—an AI framework that enables systems to act autonomously based on human input. By introducing ChatGPT Enterprise within its own global operations, NTT Data will gain first-hand experience in optimizing enterprise workflows through Gen AI.
Beyond basic implementation, NTT Data and OpenAI will jointly develop industry-specific AI agents tailored for finance, healthcare, manufacturing, public service, and more. These agents will merge OpenAI’s foundational models with NTT Data’s domain-specific expertise, enabling AI systems to operate as digital labor across various business verticals.
Already, NTT Data has begun integrating OpenAI’s API to build these smart agents. Their ability to understand and act on company-specific data is a leap forward in building intelligent, responsive enterprise systems.
Center of Excellence and Workforce Upskilling
To support this transformation, NTT Data will launch an OpenAI Center of Excellence (CoE)—a hub dedicated to guiding AI integration across enterprises. The CoE will draw from NTT Data’s “tens of thousands” of Gen AI-trained professionals and will include both technical experts and Gen AI consultants. This team will provide end-to-end support—from strategy and onboarding to long-term utilization and optimization.
Yutaka Sasaki, President and CEO of NTT Data, emphasized that the collaboration is designed to “fundamentally transform the nature of corporate activities.” He added, “By merging our system integration strengths with OpenAI’s cutting-edge AI, we will drive transformation and contribute to a sustainable society.”
Tadao Nagasaki, CEO of OpenAI Japan, echoed this sentiment: “Through the introduction of ChatGPT Enterprise and the OpenAI API, we see a major shift toward smarter business operations. Our partnership with NTT Data supports this mission by making Gen AI safer, easier, and more productive for everyone.”
As the alliance expands from Japan to Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, NTT Data and OpenAI are set to redefine how enterprises deploy Gen AI to solve modern business challenges—from labor shortages to productivity gaps.
