Tsuzuki Denki and IBM Japan Sign AI Partnership

Tsuzuki Denki Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Katsuyuki Yoshida; hereinafter "Tsuzuki Denki") and IBM Japan, Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Akio Yamaguchi; hereinafter "IBM Japan") signed an AI partnership agreement on March 12. ■ Background As social issues such as labor shortages, environmental concerns, and security risks become more apparent, companies are required to transform with speed, with a particular focus on how to integrate AI into their business and IT strategies. Tsuzuki Denki has focused on the practice and utilization of advanced technologies, including AI, as part of its journey toward becoming a "Growth Navigator," its long-term vision. Since May 2024, the company has established a Generative AI Working Group, promoting the implementation of generative AI into its own services and the modernization of development styles through AI, in collaboration with various partners. Meanwhile, IBM Japan aims to contribute to society through new value creation based on its extensive domestic and international track record, promoting co-creation with customers and business partners through the use of advanced technologies such as AI. With growing expectations for corporate growth through AI utilization, the two companies have entered into this partnership to further accelerate collaboration and co-creation that leverages their respective strengths and to enhance the value provided to society. ■ Details of the AI Partnership Moving forward, the two companies will work on the co-creation of services covering everything from strategy and planning to environment construction, implementation, and operation/maintenance, with a focus on "AI x Voice Communication" and "AI x Modernization." They will also promote multi-faceted collaboration based on co-creation, with an eye toward joint service proposals and personnel exchanges. (1) AI x Voice Communication Regarding this area, the companies began discussions in July 2025 to advance industry-specific services. Using the real estate rental industry as a use case, they have completed the construction and verification of an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for a "Voice AI solution that combines Tsuzuki Denki's voice infrastructure technology with IBM's AI agent product, watsonx Orchestrate." Both companies will continue development verification and plan to launch the service around July of this year. Through this, customer service representatives at adopting companies can automate post-conversation tasks (such as creating conversation records and inquiring about contract details), which is expected to significantly improve efficiency. Furthermore, by standardizing telephone response quality and improving responsiveness, improvements in customer satisfaction and business operations, including compliance, are anticipated. (2) AI x Modernization The "2025 Cliff" identified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry suggests that leaving legacy systems unaddressed poses significant risks to corporate management, such as soaring maintenance costs, a shortage of management personnel, and the "black-boxing" of systems. Therefore, the two companies are...