TLDR: Thinking Machines Data Science has partnered with OpenAI, becoming its first official Services Partner in the Asia-Pacific region. This collaboration aims to accelerate enterprise AI adoption by offering comprehensive ChatGPT Enterprise training, Agentic AI implementation services, and executive leadership programs to help organizations translate AI investments into tangible business value.
In a significant move set to reshape the artificial intelligence landscape across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, Thinking Machines Data Science has announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment, as Thinking Machines becomes OpenAI’s inaugural official Services Partner in APAC, with a shared mission to accelerate the adoption and successful integration of enterprise-grade AI solutions.
The partnership addresses a critical challenge faced by many APAC enterprises: the struggle to move beyond pilot projects and effectively translate AI adoption into measurable business value. Industry research, including a recent IBM CEO study, indicates that while 61% of APAC enterprises report adopting AI, a significant portion still grapples with achieving real business impact. This disconnect is often attributed to gaps in executive capabilities, a lack of coherent vision from leadership, and cultural adaptation hurdles.
Under this alliance, Thinking Machines will provide a suite of services designed to empower organizations and executives. These include comprehensive ChatGPT Enterprise training, customized implementation frameworks, and specialized Agentic AI implementation services. The firm will also focus on the design and deployment of bespoke Agentic AI applications, leveraging OpenAI’s powerful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
Stephanie Sy, Founder and CEO of Thinking Machines, highlighted the region’s readiness for this transformation. “The markets in the Asia Pacific are showing remarkable momentum in AI adoption, underscoring the region’s readiness to embrace enterprise-grade solutions,” Sy stated. She further emphasized the partnership’s broader goal: “Through our collaboration with OpenAI, we’re not just bringing in new technology but we’re helping organisations build the skills, strategies, and support systems they need to take advantage of AI. For us, it’s about reinventing the future of work through human-AI collaboration and making AI truly work for people across the Asia Pacific Region.”
Niek van Veen, Vice-President for Growth at Thinking Machines, underscored the urgency and opportunity. He noted that AI has rapidly evolved from an IT-centric topic to a top priority for executives and boards, especially as they finalize their 2026 strategies and budgets. “The winners won’t be the companies that merely ‘pick a model’, but those that operationalise ChatGPT across the business, training executives, redesigning workflows and embedding guardrails so teams can use it confidently at scale,” van Veen explained.
OpenAI’s commitment to the region is evident, having launched its regional headquarters in Singapore in late 2024. Singapore, notably, now boasts the highest per-capita ChatGPT usage rates globally, aligning with its National AI Strategy to improve societal outcomes through AI technology.
The initial rollout of programs will focus on Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand, leveraging Thinking Machines’ established regional presence. Future plans include tailoring services to specific sectors such as financial services, retail, and manufacturing, where AI can address unique challenges and unlock new opportunities. Mook Chaichirawiwat, Country Manager of Thailand at Thinking Machines, pointed out that the partnership aligns with Thailand’s growing readiness for AI, citing a Boston Consulting Group study projecting AI and generative AI (GenAI) could contribute up to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 in Southeast Asia.
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Andy Brown, Head of Go-to-Market, Asia Pacific for OpenAI, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative: “This initiative with Thinking Machines will give leaders the know-how and hands-on support to embed our latest GPT-5 model into their daily operations, helping them move from experimentation to impact.” The collaboration aims to equip senior executives with practical tools and techniques to strategically employ AI, ensuring that organizations can effectively transition from AI pilots to impactful, scaled solutions.
