Hitachi and Google Cloud to boost enterprise innovation with generative AI

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501) has announced a significant multi-year partnership with Google Cloud to propel enterprise innovation and productivity using generative AI technologies. This collaboration aims to revolutionize industry practices by integrating advanced AI tools into business processes and enhancing the digital services portfolio of both entities.

Formation of Specialized Business Units

Under the leadership of GlobalLogic, a renowned digital engineering company and subsidiary of the Hitachi Group, the partnership will see the creation of the Hitachi Google Cloud Business Unit and the Google Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE). These new units will focus on rapidly deploying Google Cloud technology across both new and existing enterprise customer bases.

Educational Initiatives and Professional Training

A key component of the partnership involves educational initiatives, where Hitachi will integrate training on Google Cloud’s generative AI as a core part of the Hitachi GenAI Professional training program. This program is designed to deepen the pool of expertise and managed services available, ensuring that large-scale organizations have the necessary resources to fundamentally enhance their operational capabilities using AI.

Innovative GenAI Solutions and Applications

The collaboration will focus on developing new GenAI solutions for tasks such as software modernization and improving customer service. For instance, Hitachi plans to utilize Gemini models to help businesses efficiently upgrade legacy software systems and employ Google Cloud Contact Center AI to foster more effective customer service experiences. Additionally, these solutions will ensure compatibility with GlobalLogic’s Platform of Platforms architecture, which caters to the needs of intelligent enterprises.

Security and Adaptability of GenAI Solutions

The new solutions developed by Hitachi will support customers operating in both on-premises and cloud environments, helping enterprises to modernize operations while maintaining their existing IT frameworks. Compatibility with Virtual Storage Platform One will allow users to create GenAI applications using data stored on Hitachi Vantara’s hybrid cloud platform.

Joint Marketing and Sales Initiatives

Hitachi and Google Cloud will align their sales, marketing, and engineering teams more closely to ensure that customers across various industries can access the resources necessary for effectively deploying and managing GenAI projects. This strategic alignment is supported by the training of GenAI Professionals skilled in Google Cloud technologies.

Executive Insights on the Partnership

Toshiaki Tokunaga, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer at Hitachi, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “By augmenting our developers and customer success units with Google Cloud GenAI solutions, Hitachi will enhance its service capabilities across diverse industries.”

Nitesh Banga, CEO of the Digital Engineering Business Unit at Hitachi and President & CEO of GlobalLogic, highlighted the strategic alignment, “This global alliance with Google Cloud will drive tangible results, establishing clear collaboration pathways and enhancing solution delivery efficiency.”

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, emphasized the importance of technical expertise in deploying generative AI, “Our partnership with Hitachi will provide customers with the comprehensive resources needed to optimally build, implement, and manage generative AI projects at every stage.”

With this strategic partnership, Hitachi and Google Cloud are set to redefine the landscape of enterprise technology, paving the way for significant advancements in the use of generative AI to solve complex business challenges and drive growth in the digital economy.