Thinking Machines Becomes OpenAI’s First Services Partner in APAC

How a Human-Centric Collaboration Is Turning AI Pilots into Real Business Impact

In a pivotal announcement in September 2025, Thinking Machines Data Science was named OpenAI’s first official Services Partner in the Asia-Pacific region. This landmark collaboration is not just about high-profile branding—it marks a significant evolution in how AI is being deployed across one of the world’s most dynamic markets.

Across APAC, more than half of enterprise leaders report experimenting with AI. Yet for many, the journey ends with limited pilots or isolated prototypes. This partnership aims to change that, moving companies from experimentation to real transformation by embedding OpenAI’s most advanced models—like GPT-5—into core business operations.

Thinking Machines brings a local, deeply practical approach to the table. Rather than positioning AI as a shiny object, they help organizations weave it into everyday workflows. Their focus includes training executives on how to use ChatGPT Enterprise, designing custom-built AI applications that operate with human oversight, and reshaping workflows so AI enhances rather than replaces human judgment.

What sets this collaboration apart is its emphasis on measurable outcomes. OpenAI’s Head of Go-to-Market in APAC, Andy Brown, has stressed that AI success should be defined by impact—time saved, processes optimized, and strategic decisions made faster and more accurately. Thinking Machines is executing this vision by helping companies unlock AI’s full potential in a practical, governance-conscious manner.

At the heart of the partnership is a human-in-command philosophy. Stephanie Sy, CEO and founder of Thinking Machines, emphasizes that true AI transformation relies as much on people as it does on models. Many companies see AI as something to adopt rather than something that changes how work gets done. This mindset gap often explains why organizations fail to scale their AI efforts.

Instead of replacing human roles, Thinking Machines redefines them. AI handles repetitive tasks like information retrieval and first drafts, while humans make final decisions, verify accuracy, and manage exceptions. This framework ensures accountability with clear audit trails and source citations, especially in high-stakes environments like banking or government.

One of the most exciting aspects of this partnership is the development of agentic AI systems. These advanced tools go beyond single-prompt interactions and can manage complex workflows autonomously—navigating websites, submitting forms, sending emails, or pulling data from multiple sources. Crucially, they’re designed to operate with clear oversight and human checkpoints, so they don’t become “black boxes.”

Governance is another area where Thinking Machines has taken a distinct approach. Too often, compliance and ethics are treated as an afterthought. But in this model, governance is built into the workflow itself. Organizations can enforce role-based access to information, define approved data sources, and maintain traceability throughout the AI’s decision-making process. This enables broader deployment without compromising security or compliance.

Thinking Machines has also distinguished itself through its localization-first strategy. It starts by building region-specific solutions in places like the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. From there, they scale up with the right adaptations for language, regulatory frameworks, and cultural norms. This approach avoids the common trap of importing AI models designed in the West and expecting them to succeed unchanged across Asia.

Equally important is their investment in skills development. Thinking Machines has already trained more than 10,000 professionals across the region. These aren’t generic workshops—they focus on giving participants real-world prompting, workflow design, and evaluation skills. Many attendees report saving one to two hours of work daily after just a day of training. That’s not just a productivity win; it’s cultural transformation in motion.

One example of their work is BEAi, a multilingual assistant built for the Bank of the Philippine Islands. The tool offers policy-compliant answers in English, Filipino, and Taglish—complete with citations and compliance guardrails. It’s not just smart; it’s culturally and operationally aware, making it truly enterprise-grade.

Looking ahead, Sy sees AI as evolving into a trusted “second brain” for professionals. In finance, this might mean real-time, regulation-aware assistants. In supply chains, AI could dynamically adjust logistics plans in response to new data. In retail, customer-facing agents might deliver personalized experiences within strict brand and privacy parameters. These aren’t futuristic fantasies—they’re actively being built today.

This partnership signals a turning point for AI in the region. It’s not about chasing the next big trend. It’s about making AI useful, responsible, and scalable. And with OpenAI’s cutting-edge tools and Thinking Machines’ grounded, human-first methodology, APAC may be on the verge of leading the next wave of enterprise AI adoption.