SoftBank and OpenAI have launched a joint venture, SB OAI Japan.
The venture aims to provide “Crystal intelligence,” an enterprise AI solution designed to improve management and operational efficiency across Japanese companies.
SB OAI Japan will integrate OpenAI’s technology with local implementation and system integration services to deliver Crystal intelligence exclusively in Japan, with commercial availability expected in 2026.
SoftBank Corp. will be the first to adopt the solution, testing its application in product development and business transformation before offering it to other organisations.
The venture builds on SoftBank’s ongoing shift towards becoming an AI-driven group, with employees already using around 2.5 million custom GPTs for internal operations.
Insights from these initiatives will inform the rollout of Crystal intelligence.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said:
“This joint venture with SoftBank is an important step that will accelerate our vision for bringing advanced AI to some of the world’s most influential companies, starting with Japan.”
Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group Corp., said:
“This marks the start of a new era of innovation that will transform how people work and businesses are managed. Together with OpenAI, we’re driving the AI revolution to the next stage.”
Through SB OAI Japan, the partners aim to support the broader adoption of AI in Japan’s corporate sector.
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