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NTT DATA and Google Cloud join forces for AI transformation

Published

3 weeks ago

August 13, 2025

NTT DATA and Google Cloud have announced a global partnership to accelerate AI-driven cloud solutions for businesses. The focus will be on agentic AI solutions that will transform industries such as financial services, healthcare, and government.

The partnership combines NTT DATA’s expertise in AI and data engineering with Google Cloud’s analytics and AI technologies. Together, the parties aim to deliver customized solutions based on proven frameworks and best practices.

To ensure the success of the partnership, NTT DATA has established a dedicated Google Cloud Business Group. This group consists of thousands of engineers, architects, and consultants who work closely with Google Cloud teams.

The company is also investing heavily in training and certification. NTT DATA aims to certify 5,000 engineers in Google Cloud technology. This should further strengthen the company’s role as a global leader in cloud transformation.

Industry-specific AI agents

NTT DATA focuses on developing AI agents for different sectors. In financial services, the collaboration should help with regulatory compliance and reporting through NTT DATA’s Regla solutions. These use Google Cloud’s scalable AI infrastructure.

For the hospitality sector, NTT DATA has developed a Virtual Travel Concierge. This AI agent improves the customer experience with 24/7 multilingual support, real-time travel planning, and intelligent recommendations. The system uses Google’s Gemini models and processes more than 3 million conversations per month.

Takumi as an AI framework

At the heart of the innovation strategy is Takumi, NTT DATA’s GenAI framework that guides customers from idea to enterprise-wide implementation. Takumi integrates seamlessly with Google Cloud’s AI stack and enables rapid prototyping and operationalization of GenAI use cases.

This initiative expands NTT DATA’s Smart AI Agent Ecosystem. This ecosystem unites strategic technology partnerships, specialized assets, and an AI-ready talent pool to help customers implement responsible, business-focused AI at scale.

The focus is on four key areas: industry-specific agentic AI solutions, AI-driven cloud modernization, application and security modernization, and sovereign cloud innovations. For the latter, both parties are leveraging Google Distributed Cloud in both offline and online environments.

Both companies are jointly investing in global sales and go-to-market campaigns to accelerate customer adoption in priority sectors. By combining technical expertise with sales and marketing, the parties aim to roll out transformative solutions across global markets efficiently.

Tip: NTT DATA launches agentic AI for customer and employee experience

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Related Topics:Agentic AI cloud computing Gemini Google Cloud NTT Data Takumi

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August 31, 2025

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August 31, 2025

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Microsoft Launches In-House AI Models to Reduce OpenAI Dependence

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2 hours ago

August 31, 2025

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Microsoft’s Strategic Pivot in AI Development

Microsoft Corp. has unveiled its first in-house artificial intelligence models, marking a significant shift in its approach to AI technology. The company announced MAI-Voice-1, a specialized model for speech generation, and a preview version of MAI-1, a foundational model aimed at broader applications. This move comes amid growing tensions in Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI, where the tech giant has invested billions but now seeks greater independence.

According to details reported in a recent article by Mashable, these models are designed to enhance Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant, integrating into products like Bing and Windows. The launch raises questions about the future of Microsoft’s collaboration with OpenAI, as the company aims to reduce its reliance on external AI providers.

Implications for the OpenAI Partnership

Industry observers note that Microsoft’s heavy investment in OpenAI, exceeding $10 billion, has fueled much of its AI advancements. However, disputes over intellectual property and revenue sharing have prompted this internal development push. The MAI-1 model, in particular, is being positioned as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s offerings, potentially challenging the startup’s dominance in generative AI.

As highlighted in reports from Reuters, Microsoft began training MAI-1 as early as last year, with parameters estimated at around 500 billion, making it a heavyweight contender against models like GPT-4. This internal effort is led by former executives from AI startup Inflection, bringing expertise to bolster Microsoft’s capabilities.

Technical Innovations and Efficiency Gains

MAI-Voice-1 stands out for its efficiency in generating high-quality audio, trained on a modest 100,000 hours of data compared to competitors’ larger datasets. This approach not only cuts costs but also accelerates deployment, allowing Microsoft to offer faster, more affordable AI features to consumers and businesses.

The preview of MAI-1 focuses on text-based tasks, with plans for multimodal expansions including image and video processing. Insights from Technology Magazine suggest these models could provide advanced problem-solving abilities, integrating seamlessly into Microsoft’s ecosystem and potentially lowering operational expenses.

Market Competition and Future Outlook

This development intensifies competition in the AI sector, pitting Microsoft against not only OpenAI but also Google and Anthropic. By building in-house models, Microsoft aims to control its AI destiny, mitigating risks associated with third-party dependencies. Analysts predict this could lead to more innovative features in Copilot, enhancing user experiences across Microsoft’s software suite.

However, the partnership with OpenAI isn’t dissolving entirely; Microsoft continues to leverage OpenAI’s technology while developing its own. A report in CNBC indicates that internal testing of MAI-1 is already underway, with public previews signaling rapid progress toward widespread adoption.

Broader Industry Ramifications

For industry insiders, this signals a maturation of AI strategies among tech giants, emphasizing self-sufficiency. Microsoft’s move could inspire similar initiatives elsewhere, fostering a more diverse array of AI tools. Yet, challenges remain, including ethical considerations and regulatory scrutiny over AI’s societal impact.

Ultimately, as Microsoft refines these models, the tech world watches closely. The balance between collaboration and competition will define the next phase of AI innovation, with Microsoft’s in-house efforts potentially reshaping market dynamics for years to come.

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