OpenAI and the SoftBank Group have announced a partnership to develop and market Advanced Enterprise AI, known as “Cristal intelligence.” This AI solution is designed to integrate the systems and data of enterprises in a customized manner.
SoftBank Group has committed to investing $3 billion annually to deploy OpenAI’s solutions across its group companies. This makes SoftBank Group the first company globally to implement Cristal intelligence at scale while also integrating existing AI tools like ChatGPT Enterprise for employees across its entire organization.
OpenAI and the SoftBank Group have agreed to establish a joint venture (JV) named SB OpenAI Japan to accelerate the deployment of Cristal intelligence for Japan-based enterprises. This JV will be dedicated to marketing Cristal intelligence exclusively to major corporations in Japan.
The size of the AI market in Japan is estimated to reach $27.12 billion by 2032 from around $3.89 billion in 2022, demonstrating a CAGR of 21.43 percent.
In 2024, OpenAI launched its o1-series AI models, which introduced advancements in reasoning capabilities. By 2025, these models will evolve into autonomous AI agents capable of independently executing tasks assigned by users. This represents a fundamental shift in AI’s role within enterprises, allowing AI-driven agents to handle knowledge work such as generating financial reports, drafting documents, and managing customer inquiries.
The collaboration between OpenAI, SoftBank Group, Arm, and SoftBank Corp aims to advance this vision by enabling AI agents to enhance workforce productivity, solve complex business problems, and lay the foundation for even more sophisticated enterprise AI systems.
SoftBank Group’s ecosystem, including companies like Arm and SoftBank Corp., will receive priority access to OpenAI’s advanced models within Japan. This will accelerate AI adoption across multiple industries and ensure that SoftBank Group companies remain at the forefront of technological innovation.
Arm will leverage Cristal intelligence to drive innovation and improve productivity, reinforcing its critical role in AI’s global advancement. SoftBank Corp., on the other hand, plans to automate over 100 million workflows using Cristal intelligence. By providing data and additional training within a secure framework, SoftBank Corp. aims to enhance efficiency, unlock new business opportunities, and build AI-powered systems fully integrated with its internal operations.
SB OpenAI Japan will be equally owned by OpenAI and a newly formed entity created by SoftBank Group Corp. and SoftBank Corp. It will be consolidated under SoftBank Corp. and will serve as a launchpad for introducing AI agents designed to meet the needs of Japanese enterprises.
