TOKYO, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- SoftBank Group (SBG) and OpenAI announced on Monday the establishment of a joint venture, "SB OpenAI Japan," to develop AI solutions tailored for Japanese enterprises.
A 50-50 partnership between OpenAI and SoftBank, the SBG's telecommunications subsidiary, the new company aims to create AI models that integrate individual corporate data and promote the adoption of generative AI in Japan, Nikkei reported.
The announcement was made at an event attended by over 500 Japanese companies.
The newly formed company will introduce a corporate AI service called Crystal Intelligence, which will be exclusively available to major Japanese firms.
Beyond traditional AI applications, the company is set to develop specialized AI models known as AI agents that integrate human resources, marketing, and operational data to support decision-making in business meetings, according to the report.
While Japanese firms have historically excelled in robotics and industrial automation, the country has lagged behind global leaders like the United States and China in AI development and adoption due to factors such as strict data regulations, risk-averse corporate culture, and a slower pace of digital transformation. ■
