How NTT DATA is Revolutionizing the Future with AI and R&D

After returning from Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2025, I thought about how NTT DATA's dedication to R&D and creative application of AI has strengthened its position as a leader in the technology sector. I look forward to speaking to some of their executives in more depth to better understand their vision and how they are shaping the future of connectivity with AI.

A Legacy of Innovation

Did you know that in 2019, the NTT DATA Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence (AI CoE) was born with the goal of developing AI knowledge and educating engineers around the world to speed up the growth of digital businesses? Within the first couple of years, NTT DATA predicted having approximately 5,000 experts across four centers of excellence worldwide, focusing on advanced digital technologies such as Blockchain, Design, DevOps, and AI.

Fast-forward to 2025, and NTT DATA's AI CoE has expanded rapidly, now operating in multiple global hubs, including Tokyo, Silicon Valley, London, and Bangalore. With over 15,000 AI specialists and engineers, the company continues to develop cutting-edge AI applications that drive advancements in healthcare, finance, and smart cities, to name a few.

This approach shows us NTT DATA's unique position in the R&D landscape. Over the last few years, while speaking to executives at different tech giants, I have noticed a common challenge, not all departments get the right amount of R&D, which affects their growth. Understanding how to harness R&D the right way will give you a strategic advantage.

Their global network of CoEs serves as innovation hubs, fostering collaboration and making sure they remain at the forefront of technological evolution. One collaboration I want to explore more is the one between NTT DATA and IBM, as last year, they established a Center of Excellence (CoE) for the Watsonx generative AI platform.

The AI CoE has forged partnerships with leading universities and research institutions, such as the Singapore Management University (SMU), the University College London (UCL), Hiroshima University, Kyorin University, and MIT Media Lab, to name a few, ensuring continuous innovation and talent development to push the boundaries of what we can achieve. 

A noteworthy mention is that NTT DATA also offers scholarships and internships to students in different regions. As I said back in 2019 at an intro speech in the beautiful Palais de Congres in Paris, "it is important to inspire the leaders of tomorrow", and that starts with tech giants leading by example and making technology education accessible.

Pioneering AI Integration

At MWC 2025, Vito Mabrucco, Chief Global Marketing Officer of NTT Corporation, spoke about going from research inspiration to commercial innovation. We saw Agentic AI applications they have developed, and the robot dog at the booth was a big attraction. It is fitted with NTT DATA's IoT sensors and technologies, which will enable it to enter hazardous situations that are too dangerous for humans to enter.

This demonstration highlights how AI-powered robotics can revolutionize industries like disaster response, industrial inspection, and security, making high-risk environments safer for human workers.

Beyond Earth, during the Satellite and NTN Summit, Rika Nakazawa, NTT's Chief Commercial Innovation Officer, spoke about space and satellite data, the evolution of connectivity from terrestrial to non-terrestrial networks, and how AI-driven systems optimize satellite communications to improve global coverage. She said we don't even see what is possible on the other side yet.

With the growing demand for more dependable connectivity, NTT DATA is developing solutions that combine satellite networks and terrestrial infrastructure to provide continuous, fast data transfers. Because AI-powered satellite data analytics can improve disaster response, climate monitoring, and international logistics, this venture is especially important for areas with inadequate traditional infrastructure. 

By leveraging advanced machine learning models, NTT DATA is making non-terrestrial connectivity smarter, more efficient, and more adaptable to the evolving demands of businesses and governments worldwide. Their work in this space shows us how AI is not just improving existing systems but redefining how we connect and communicate.

Open Networking and Strategic Collaborations

The partnership with UfiSpace announced by NTT DATA at MWC 2025, demonstrates their dedication to open networking and AI integration. In order to quicken the adoption of open, scalable, and energy-efficient network infrastructures, it focuses on creating and growing Disaggregated Open Networking Solutions. 

This partnership facilitates the development of AI-driven and 6G-enabled network designs by using NTT DATA's sophisticated network integration, automation, and software-defined networking capabilities in conjunction with UfiSpace's proficiency in white box hardware. 

We can all agree that with AI increasing in network automation and optimization, NTT DATA's research in this area becomes more crucial as it sets the stage for the next generation of intelligent connectivity solutions. This transformative shift will empower businesses with flexibility, efficiency, and scalability.

The Future of AI and Edge Computing

I'm intrigued by NTT DATA's vision for the future. They explore new possibilities enabled by hyperconnected intelligent networks and demonstrate use cases created by combining advanced networking, private 5G, IoT, and Operational Technology (OT) with edge computing.

For example, at MWC 2025 they showcased the world's first operational Photonics solution with Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (iOWN) and Open RAN with OREX-SAI, illustrating how their vision and innovation can transform industries for the better. 

Because companies can now implement AI algorithms right at the network's edge rather than depending on centralized cloud-based AI models, AI-driven decision-making at the edge is innovative. With real-time processing and decision-making for areas such as healthcare and manufacturing, where real-time AI insights can encourage innovations that save lives and reduce costs, the outcomes are endless.

Ethical AI and Sustainability

In order to ensure that AI grows responsibly, NTT DATA is placing an increasing amount of attention on sustainability and ethical AI. Transparency, equity, and accountability seem to be given top priority in their AI governance framework, which is establishing a high bar for the industry. As I often say, tech giants need to be leaders and good examples to follow.

Sustainability is a cornerstone of NTT DATA's innovation and it is using edge computing and artificial intelligence to maximize energy efficiency in networks and data centers. For example, their partnership with Schneider Electric last year demonstrates their dedication to providing high-performance digital infrastructure while lowering carbon footprints. 

We are getting much closer to a time when environmental responsibility won't be sacrificed for AI-driven efficiency, but the only way to get there is if we all work together.

A New Era

When I think back on NTT DATA's history, I can see, as said at the beginning, how its dedication to research and development (R&D) as well as strategic partnerships has made it a leader in the integration of AI and cutting-edge technologies. It is not only taking part in the technology revolution but also influencing its direction. The innovations from NTT DATA have the potential to revolutionize technology in our hyperconnected environment and drive long-term business transformation.

AI, 6G, and edge computing will continue to evolve, and if MWC 2025 has shown us anything, it's that NTT DATA will be at the forefront of this evolution. Their work today lays the foundation for a smarter, more connected, sustainable digital future.

A new era is here, and we need to embrace it.

p.s. The next road for the NTT group leads to their Upgrade 2025 event in San Francisco on April 9-10 under the theme "Innovation For The New Reality."