Empowering the Future of Business in APAC Through AI Readiness

NTT DATA at Summer Davos

At Summer Davos this year, the session "How Ready Are Countries for AI?", attended by over 350 people and streamed globally, focused on the critical interplay between infrastructure, investment, and policy in harnessing AI's potential and crafting adaptable, future-proof regulations. We were delighted to join the discussion, as several of NTT DATA's experts took to the stage to share their insights and ideas for helping nations get AI ready.

The session brought together experts from business, government and academia to discuss the imperative of aligning rapid technological advancements with governance, ensuring that AI is developed and deployed safely. Ultimately, panelists agreed on the need for a collaborative, case-by-case approach to AI governance and discussed practical strategies for achieving this. Talent cultivation, a mindset transformation, and hands-on AI application were highlighted as critical avenues for the safe and ethical development of this promising technology. The common denominators in all of this were education and inclusivity – key elements for making the vision of safe and responsible AI a reality.

John Lombard provided insights from a technical perspective, discussing the challenges of energy consumption, particularly in relation to data center requirements and IOWN's solutions. Tsuzumi¹, NTT DATA's lightweight Large Language Model (LLM), was a key topic of the discussion. The model was presented as an example of a flexible LLM that can efficiently learn and be tailored to specific industry needs and scenarios. The safe application of this technology was discussed in relation to an Advisory Board, designed to bridge private and public sector interests as part of a strategic approach to AI readiness and ethical decision-making.

Ultimately, this session served as a pertinent reminder that unlocking a safe and inclusive AI-future is a collaborative effort.

• 1 https://www.rd.ntt/e/research/LLM_tsuzumi.html

Official Video from The World Economic Forum

How Ready Are Countries for AI? > Annual Meeting of the New Champions | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

Key Takeaways and Reflections

While several of NTT DATA's leaders took to the stage to share their expertise during sessions relating to AI, Advanced Manufacturing, and Supply Chain, Summer Davos was also a fantastic opportunity to listen and learn from other experts in the field. Reflecting on these discussions, NTT DATA's leadership team shared some key takeaways from the conference:

Alex Lu, CEO of NTT Ltd., China, examined a wide range of topics, including emerging technology and sustainable growth. A key theme which underpinned the discussion was the development of ethical AI and the necessity for international collaboration in achieving this. The manufacturing and supply chain industry has previously been held back by global complexities, but collaboration between global stakeholders to ensure that AI is developed safely, promises to open up the sector to greater innovation.

He said: "For decades, knowledge and research sharing has been at the heart of NTT DATA's mission to facilitate meaningful progress through industry-wide synergy. Importantly, the forum provided a platform through which crucial international connections were developed, opening doors for future collaborations and innovations."

Alex Lu

CEO of NTT Ltd., China

Yoshio Matsuzaki

President of NTT DATA, China

Yoshino Matsuzaki, President of NTT DATA, China, emphasized the transformative potential of AI in both the public and private sectors. However, as he correctly highlighted, practical applications in business have yet to be fully defined.

He said: "Comprehensive training in AI utilization is essential, alongside strategies to bridge the digital divide impacting developing countries. The responsible use of AI necessitates a commitment to ethics, reinforced by stringent governance and control measures, to prevent potential misuse and ensure its benefits are universally accessible and aligned with societal values."

AI Readiness in APAC

The APAC region is rapidly emerging as a global economic powerhouse, and harnessing the power of AI is a key driver of this growth. Wealthier economies, including developed nations and some emerging markets, display a higher readiness for adopting AI than other developing nations in the region.

In particular, East Asian countries like Singapore (#2), Japan (#9), and South Korea (#7) have built a strong foundation for AI safety, investing in human resources, regulations, and infrastructure, that enable the effective deployment of AI in both public and private sectors.² Ensuring that the wider APAC region is ready to adopt AI safely is the key to unlocking sustainable economic growth more broadly.

• 2 Government AI Readiness Index - Oxford Insights
  AI Readiness Index - Oxford Insights

AI is often praised for its ability to drive efficiency in various sectors, but where is it making the biggest difference? And how?

NTT DATA's Contributions: Solutions and Services

At NTT DATA, we are dedicated to transforming businesses through the careful design and application of tailored AI roadmaps. So far, we've created over 200 advanced case studies³ with global clients from various industries, including banking, financial services, public sector, automotive, retail, telecoms, manufacturing, real estate, and more.

Currently, we are expanding our ecosystem to provide a comprehensive Generative AI strategy to a broader range of clients. Our services include a wide variety of consulting services and Generative AI-related assets, including several of our own solutions⁴.

Recently, we launched Tsuzumi through the Microsoft Azure AI Models-as-a-Service (MaaS) offering. Although the model was only initially available in Japan on the Azure MaaS platform, plans are underway to expand Tsuzumi availability to other regions.

Eric Boyd, Corporate Vice President of the Azure AI Platform at Microsoft shared, "Supporting the launch of Tsuzumi on Microsoft Azure AI exemplifies our dedication to empowering organizations globally to harness the power of generative AI through models optimized for performance and price, and backed by the world's most trusted cloud."⁵

• 3 As of April 2024
• 4 Generative AI | NTT DATA Group
• 5 NTT DATA Announces Strategic Enhancement of Collaboration with Launch of Tsuzumi on Microsoft Azure | NTT DATA Group

Generative AI Use Cases

At NTT DATA, we build end-to-end Generative AI solutions that are compliant and secure. We are not just participants in the Generative AI revolution, but the spearhead of a more intelligent and responsive future in the APAC region and beyond. Our holistic approach ensures that Generative AI is not just a feature, but a transformative driver of sustainable business excellence.

One standout example is Coding by NTT DATA, a state-of-the-art platform that refines custom software development and application modernization. It utilizes Generative AI to automate tasks across software development, maintenance, legacy system updates, and cloud transitions. This technology enables organizations to enhance their software development lifecycle and extract maximum value from their applications across various sectors, including finance, utilities, and automotive.

Another breakthrough has been the manufacturing shopfloor experience powered by Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). This technology boosts productivity by providing instant access to information, such as FAQs and database insights, whenever factory workers have inquiries. Implementing this solution has led to a 30% increase in the speed of onboarding and a 350% improvement in data quality, marking significant strides in operational efficiency and accuracy for many of our clients.

Lastly, the integration of "Digital employees" has significantly improved efficiency in insurance operations. These digital assistants offer robust support, streamlining processes and decision-making within the industry. These advancements showcase the potential for industrial settings to be transformed by innovative technology solutions.

Future Predictions: Extrapolating the Potential of Generative AI

Generative AI is poised to be a central feature of future businesses. The rapidly developing technology is not only expected to overhaul our own operations but also to drive change across customer industries. But its impact expands beyond commercial interests as stakeholders are quickly realizing the potential of AI to drive real, tangible change throughout society.

The surge in demand for Generative AI consulting services and collaborative solution development is a testament to the growing maturity of the technology and the recognition of its potential to transform businesses. This trend is set to continue, especially in key sectors such as finance, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail, where extensive data processing is becoming a critical pain point.

"It was exciting to see NTT DATA's team engagement at Summer Davos. It is evident that the future of Generative AI will unfold around the globe. Its readiness and integration into the fabric of global business will determine the trajectory of our collective progress, demanding a concerted effort to foster an inclusive, ethical, and forward-thinking AI ecosystem. NTT DATA supports these initiatives as one team and will play a critical role in supporting our clients and partners during this transformative era of computing."

By Mona Charif

Chief Marketing Officer NTT DATA, Inc.

Conclusion

Summer Davos illuminated the transformative potential of AI and the challenges we face in realizing it. As we move forward, our focus must be on turning insights into action. We'll prioritize developing AI solutions that are not only innovative but also ethically sound and culturally attuned to the APAC region's diverse needs.
Our commitment extends beyond technological advancement. We aim to foster an ecosystem where AI catalyzes positive societal change, addressing global challenges while promoting inclusive growth. This requires ongoing collaboration across sectors and borders.
The path ahead demands agility, responsibility, and a shared vision. As leaders in the AI space, we bear the responsibility of shaping a future where technology enhances human potential and contributes to a more equitable world.
Let's embrace this opportunity to lead with purpose, ensuring AI becomes a force for good in business and society alike.