NTT Data Group is strengthening its global footprint in artificial intelligence through a new partnership with OpenAI, aiming to deliver secure, enterprise-grade generative AI solutions to businesses worldwide. As part of the collaboration, NTT Data will focus on deploying customized AI agents capable of autonomously performing complex business tasks such as sales, customer service, and operational analysis.
The Japanese IT services giant recently signed a sales agency agreement for the enterprise version of ChatGPT, becoming only the second company globally—after PwC—to do so. NTT Data plans to launch full-scale sales activities in May, offering not only access to ChatGPT Enterprise but also consulting, system development support, and managed AI operations for international clients.
NTT Data emphasized the security advantages of ChatGPT Enterprise, highlighting that the platform is designed to prevent unintended data retention and information leakage. Client input is not used for model training, and OpenAI cannot access user data, making it an attractive option for industries that process sensitive information.
“This partnership positions us to deliver the latest advances in generative AI securely and reliably for enterprises around the world,” an NTT Data executive stated, underscoring the company’s goal to become a leader in enterprise AI integration.
Through this collaboration, NTT Data gains early technical access to evaluate large language models (LLMs) during their development, enabling faster deployment of cutting-edge solutions. The company plans to leverage decades of expertise in finance, manufacturing, public services, and other sectors to tailor AI agents that meet specific operational needs.
These AI agents will be designed to automate a wide range of tasks, such as responding to customer inquiries, analyzing sales data to optimize strategies, and summarizing internal meetings into actionable materials. By freeing employees from routine administrative work, businesses can shift greater focus to strategic decision-making.
NTT Data, which manages international operations for NTT Group, is targeting ¥100 billion (approximately $700 million) in cumulative sales from OpenAI-related ventures by the fiscal year ending March 2028. The company operates in about 50 countries and aims to use this extensive network to scale its AI offerings globally.
The move comes as OpenAI faces mounting financial pressures, with losses nearing $5 billion in 2024 despite generating roughly $3.7 billion in sales, according to U.S. media reports. The expansion into enterprise markets—where demand for reliable, secure AI solutions is growing rapidly—has become a critical strategic priority for OpenAI.
The global market for AI agents is also accelerating, with research firm MarketsandMarkets forecasting growth from a few billion dollars today to $47.1 billion by 2030. Competition in this space is heating up: SoftBank Group recently announced a collaboration with OpenAI to develop its own AI agent platform, “Crystal Intelligence.”
NTT Data’s latest partnership underscores the intensifying race to commercialize generative AI for enterprise use, positioning the company at the forefront of the next wave of technological transformation.
