NEC targeted companies underutilising AI in its home market of Japan with a consultation service, providing assistance across areas including management strategies and creating roadmaps for adoption.

Its AI Discovery Program+ covers six broad themes of: corporate policy; business utilisation; governance; systems; data; and organisation and HR. It will provide advice on how best to use the technology and identify priority areas for deployment.

NEC noted an ambition to “promote the advancement of corporate operations and contribute to the realisation of a society where everyone can use AI safely and securely” with its service.

The company explained rapid advances in AI, and generative AI especially, meant the technology had been elevated to being an “essential element” in business growth and competitiveness. However, it noted many businesses faced issues with its adoption.

Among the issues being experienced is AI not being put into “practical use or full-scale implementation” alongside “company-wide control and management” not being sufficient.

“Against this backdrop, there is a growing need for strategic AI introduction, including overall design and governance for AI utilisation,” NEC added.