NTT DATA’s Jan Wuppermann on Orchestrating Responsible Agentic AI Transformation Across APAC

In a region as diverse and dynamic as Asia-Pacific, transformation can no longer be measured by tools alone—it must be reflected in mindset, trust, and execution. Few leaders understand this as deeply as Jan Wuppermann, Senior Vice President of Service Assurance and Data & AI at NTT DATA.

With an expansive career that has seen him lead complex transformation initiatives across Europe, the Middle East and now the Asia-Pacific region, Jan brings not only technical fluency but also cultural sensitivity to the table. His experience spans both strategic consulting and operational execution—giving him a unique vantage point in today’s high-stakes, AI-driven landscape.

In a conversation with CIO World Asia, Jan opens up about what it really takes to embed agentic AI into existing human-machine ecosystems, how to navigate uneven digital maturity across APAC, and why governance must be designed into AI systems from the start—not retrofitted after launch.

From Global Thinking to Local Trust: A Leadership Anchored in Listening

For Jan, transformation starts not with strategy  but with humility. “Early in my career, I learnt the hard way not to assume I understood every context. Today, I start by assuming I don’t know, listening closely and observing diverse viewpoints of all stakeholders before acting.”

Having led transformations across regions with vastly different norms, Jan believes that adaptability is the cornerstone of trust. “What works in one market may not translate directly to another. By staying curious and adapting my style to local nuances while keeping our shared purpose front and centre, I’ve been able to build strong relationships and drive meaningful change across various markets.”

This commitment to active listening and alignment has shaped his approach at NTT DATA, especially when working with clients navigating the first waves of AI deployment.

From Frameworks to Frontlines: The Shift from Consulting to Execution

The journey from advising the C-suite to owning the outcomes of enterprise change has been transformative for Jan. “Both experiences go hand in hand. Moving from advisory to execution has deepened my appreciation for what it truly takes to lead change and make it stick,” he explains. “As a consultant, I focused on frameworks, data, and objective recommendations. Taking on an operational role, I’ve learnt firsthand the complexity of trade-offs, stakeholder buy-in, and long-term accountability.”

This grounding in execution allows him to bridge the gap between vision and implementation. At NTT DATA, he combines strategic foresight with operational empathy—guiding multi-year, AI-driven transformation programmes with a deep understanding of people, systems, and processes.

Tailored for APAC: Moving from AI Curiosity to Capability

The Asia-Pacific region represents a spectrum of digital readiness. Countries like Singapore, which tops the APAC AI Readiness Index, are rapidly piloting and scaling agentic AI. Yet many others are still building foundational infrastructure and skills. “In our Global GenAI Report, we observed that many APAC markets remain at the proof-of-concept stage, with limited AI skills and infrastructure services,” Jan notes.

In response, NTT DATA employs a segmented, outcome-focused approach. For digital leaders like Singapore and Australia, the team leverages their robust Smart AI Agent Ecosystem—an enterprise-grade, hyperscaler-agnostic platform that enables secure, compliant AI agents at scale.

In emerging markets, the company offers Agentic AI Services for Hyperscaler AI Technologies, including pro-code and low-code packages that make piloting and scaling agentic AI accessible regardless of the client’s technological maturity. These services allow organisations to test, learn, and scale at their own pace without compromising quality or compliance.

Governance by Default: Making Responsible AI the Norm

As the capabilities of agentic AI become more dynamic and autonomous, so do the responsibilities. “Responsibility must be baked into every agent from day one,” Jan asserts. For him, responsible AI isn’t a poster on the wall—it’s a working discipline that must be embedded from ideation to operation.

NTT DATA’s three-tiered approach:

• Global Framework, Local Compliance: Their dedicated AI Governance Office (AGO) oversees group-wide policies for data privacy, bias mitigation, explainability, and AI security. During each project’s kick-off, these are mapped to local regulations to ensure contextual compliance.
  
• Service-Embedded Controls: Their Smart AI Agent Ecosystem is built with controls such as role-based access, automated audit trails, bias monitoring dashboards, and prebuilt compliance checks, available from day one.
  
• Continuous Monitoring: Since establishing the AGO, NTT DATA has conducted structured governance reviews that incorporate updates from regional and global regulations, ensuring their policies and tools remain aligned with evolving expectations.

From Shop Floors to the Cloud: AI in Action

Many organisations today talk about the potential of AI. NTT DATA is already realising it—especially through real-world, high-impact deployments. “In APAC, we’ve seen real-world deployments of agentic AI drive tangible business outcomes—especially when the solutions are designed around specific user needs and backed by robust data infrastructure,” Jan shares.

One example is in manufacturing, where retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) AI agents were deployed directly onto the shop floor. These agents offered instant access to FAQs and operational documents, cutting onboarding time by 30% and improving production data quality by a staggering 350%.

Another is Tsuzumi, NTT DATA’s proprietary GenAI model launched on Microsoft Azure, designed to meet specific enterprise needs across logistics, insurance, and engineering. The model benefits from insights gathered through 200+ global AI projects and the expertise of 2,600 Google Cloud-certified engineers, including 1,000 across APAC.

However, Jan is quick to highlight that technology alone isn’t enough. “If the underlying information is outdated or fragmented, agent responses quickly lose trust. Human adoption is another key factor: change management, training, and clear communication are what turn promising tech into sustained impact.”

Orchestrating the Intelligent Enterprise

Agentic AI isn’t just about task automation—it’s about collaborative, goal-oriented intelligence. “True agentic AI isn’t simply about deploying isolated smart tools—it’s about weaving those tools into the fabric of your organisation so they can work together, guided by clear oversight and human judgement,” Jan says.

To achieve this, NTT DATA developed the Smart AI Agent Ecosystem with an orchestration layer that enables multiple agents to collaborate seamlessly, manage dependencies, and automate complex workflows.

This is underpinned by continuous monitoring, audit trails, and bias control dashboards, giving organisations end-to-end visibility and trust. But orchestration is only part of the journey. Jan recommends that organisations build a structured innovation framework focused on four key pillars:

1. Innovation Roadmaps: Identifying AI use cases with the highest ROI and business value.
2. AI-Driven Personalisation Design: Creating intuitive, omnichannel AI experiences based on real user insights.
3. Rapid Prototyping & Validation:  Piloting ideas on a small scale before full rollout.
4. Digital Foundation Enablement: Building the right data infrastructure and systems for scalability.

By combining orchestration with long-term innovation planning, organisations can move from pilot to impact and do so responsibly.

Leadership, Legacy, and Leaving Room for Growth

In a world increasingly driven by automation and speed, Jan still believes in the value of clarity, empathy, and purpose. “Be willing to make informed decisions quickly, adapt based on feedback, and don’t let the pursuit of perfection delay progress,” he advises. “Creating a culture where teams feel safe to speak up and experiment is also critical—clarity often comes through action, not before it.”

Looking ahead, Jan hopes to leave behind more than strategies—he wants to inspire the next generation of leaders. “I hope my impact inspires others to mentor and uplift future leaders, driving growth beyond their own potential. A German philosopher once said: ‘Children should have roots and wings.’ I believe the same applies for great leaders.” His leadership footprint, grounded in humility and elevated by vision, continues to shape NTT DATA’s role in building resilient, people-centred organisations that thrive in uncertainty.

Connect with Jan Wuppermann

Jan’s human-first vision for building AI-powered enterprises is reshaping how organisations across Asia-Pacific approach innovation. Follow and connect with him on LinkedIn to stay updated on his latest work in ethical AI, data orchestration, and enterprise-scale transformation.