John Lombard, CEO APAC at NTT Data: Pioneering AI and Innovation Across Asia-Pacific with NTT DATA

In a world rapidly reshaped by artificial intelligence and digital transformation, leadership plays a pivotal role in navigating change and enabling progress. John Lombard, CEO of NTT DATA APAC, embodies this ethos. With over 30 years of diverse experience spanning technology, consulting, and leadership roles across Asia-Pacific, John’s career has been a testament to innovation and adaptability. As he leads a team of over 13,000 employees across 14 markets, John leverages his insights to drive cutting-edge advancements that empower industries and redefine standards in the digital era.

The Leadership Journey: Shaped by Challenges and Growth

John’s path to becoming a transformative leader is rooted in his ability to embrace discomfort and adapt. Reflecting on a pivotal moment in his career, John shares, “When I moved to Asia-Pacific for my first overseas engagement, I was thrown into an entirely new culture where I didn’t speak the language. It was challenging, but it taught me to be more agile and open-minded. These experiences helped me develop a strategic mindset essential for driving business growth in dynamic environments.”

This philosophy is mirrored in his daily approach as CEO. Despite the demanding nature of his role, John prioritises balance: “No day is the same, but maintaining my well-being is critical. I carve out time for exercise and quality moments with family and friends. It’s not easy, but it significantly boosts productivity and clarity.”

Transforming Industries Through Strategic Alliances

A standout achievement during John’s tenure has been NTT DATA’s expanded partnership with Google Cloud, an alliance designed to propel digital transformation for APAC enterprises. This collaboration seamlessly combines Google Cloud’s advanced AI, data analytics, and cloud solutions with NTT DATA’s deep market insights and industry expertise, resulting in bespoke solutions tailored to sector-specific challenges.

John highlights the strategic goals of this partnership, “Our focus is on enhancing operational efficiency, driving innovation, empowering smarter decision-making through Generative AI, and delivering tailored solutions for industries such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.” This partnership is not just about adopting technology; it’s about aligning digital tools with business objectives to create meaningful, measurable outcomes for clients.

In the banking sector, for example, John describes a paradigm shift, “We’ve observed a significant move from legacy mainframes to AI-driven cloud environments. This shift enhances decision-making capabilities, boosts security, and enables faster, more personalised services for customers.” NTT DATA’s insights, showcased in “The Digital Horizon: Banking’s Shift from Mainframe to AI-Driven Cloud Infrastructure”, underline the urgency for financial institutions to modernise.

AI and Machine Learning: Revolutionising Cloud Technology

The integration of AI and machine learning (ML) into cloud technology represents a cornerstone of NTT DATA’s innovation strategy. John underscores this with a compelling example: “Our Coding by NTT DATA platform, powered by Generative AI, automates and optimises the software development lifecycle. This helps clients accelerate cloud transitions and enhances application modernisation across sectors like finance, utilities, and automotive.”

AI’s transformative potential extends beyond automation. NTT DATA is leveraging AI-driven predictive analytics to enable businesses to identify risks and opportunities in real time. In the manufacturing sector, this has translated to groundbreaking solutions such as Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), which has delivered a 350% increase in data accuracy. This advancement allows manufacturers to streamline operations, optimise supply chains, and boost productivity.

“Our AI initiatives are designed not just to enhance efficiency but to create entirely new capabilities for our clients. These solutions address specific challenges, such as predictive maintenance in manufacturing and fraud detection in financial services, while aligning with broader business goals,” John explains.

Redefining Standards Across Healthcare, Finance, and Manufacturing

AI’s influence on healthcare has been particularly significant. NTT DATA’s collaboration with Synapxe on the AI-enabled Medical Imaging Platform exemplifies how technology can improve diagnostic accuracy. “This platform, developed with partners like DeepTek and CARPL, integrates AI into radiology workflows, helping clinicians deliver faster, more accurate diagnoses,” John shares.

Another notable partnership involves Lunit, a leader in cancer diagnostics. NTT DATA has introduced Lunit INSIGHT CXR into Singapore’s public healthcare system, improving the accuracy and efficiency of chest screenings at hospitals like Singapore General Hospital and Changi General Hospital. “These innovations aren’t just technological milestones—they’re redefining the standard of care for patients,” John emphasises.

In the financial sector, NTT DATA combines its expertise with Google Cloud’s AI capabilities to advance fraud detection and personalise customer experiences. Meanwhile, in manufacturing, AI-based supply chain optimisation is driving cost reductions and enhancing product quality.

Fostering Innovation with Ethical AI

While advancing AI’s capabilities, NTT DATA maintains a strong commitment to ethical practices. “We’ve developed an Ethical Guidelines for Trustworthy AI Framework to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in all our AI solutions,” John explains. This focus on ethical AI is further supported by the Generative AI Talent Development Framework, which aims to certify 30,000 GenAI experts globally by 2026.

“Our responsibility extends beyond delivering technology; it’s about equipping businesses and individuals with the tools to navigate AI responsibly,” John states. The framework not only ensures a skilled workforce but also aligns with regulatory standards, such as Europe’s pioneering AI legislation.

The Road Ahead: Generative AI and Beyond

Looking forward, John is particularly optimistic about the potential of Generative AI. With an annual budget of $3.6 billion and a 40-year contribution to continuous AI R&D, NTT DATA is poised to lead the next wave of AI innovation. “Generative AI will not only redefine how organisations operate but also set new benchmarks for transparency, innovation, and inclusivity,” John predicts.

NTT DATA’s leadership in Generative AI is matched by its investment in diversity and inclusion. “We believe diverse teams drive the most innovative ideas,” John remarks. This belief is reflected in initiatives supporting employees from varied backgrounds, fostering an inclusive culture that promotes creativity and collaboration.

Stay up to date with John Lombard

John Lombard’s visionary leadership at NTT DATA is a blueprint for how technology can transform industries and improve lives. His insights offer a unique perspective on navigating the complexities of today’s digital landscape. Connect with John on LinkedIn to learn more about his journey and explore how NTT DATA is reshaping the future of business with AI and innovation.