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NTT Data hedges its AI bets

Amid intensifying competition between the US and China, the company keeps partnerships in different regions a priority

 Young Zhan Heng
Published Thu, Sep 4, 2025 · 07:00 AM
    • NTT Data aims to have 30,000 AI specialists within the next two years, and offers various degrees of certification in the technology to its staff.
    • NTT Data aims to have 30,000 AI specialists within the next two years, and offers various degrees of certification in the technology to its staff. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

    [SINGAPORE] Global systems integrator NTT Data is navigating the rising tensions between artificial intelligence (AI) giants in the East and West by forging deeper partnerships on both sides, said John Lombard, its Asia-Pacific chief executive officer.

    In an exclusive interview with The Business Times, he noted that NTT Data works with various collaborators so that its clients will have an array of services to choose from. He cited partnerships with Google Cloud, Cisco and, more recently, French AI startup Mistral AI.

    “That includes making sure that we are working with partners that offer different types of solutions for different scenarios,” he said.

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