NYK has launched a companywide initiative to cultivate AI-ready talent and drive business transformation through the use of AI.

Built on the concept of a “companywide movement for AI utilization,” the initiative, named “SAIL with AI Compass,” aims to foster employees who can effectively leverage AI while elevating the sophistication of business operations.

This effort aligns with NYK’s medium-term management plan, “Sail Green, Drive Transformations 2026 — A Passion for Planetary Wellbeing ,” which promotes an ambidextrous approach that seeks to strengthen NYK’s core businesses while growing new businesses.

Under a three-year roadmap, the initiative will enhance employees’ AI literacy and their ability to streamline operations through human resource development and operational refinement. The goal is to realize sustainable business growth and profit expansion without a significant increase in headcount.

• Launch of the “NYK AI College” training program
  Providing an integrated learning environment covering everything from fundamental AI literacy to practical business applications
• Knowledge sharing and companywide deployment mechanisms
  Strengthening networks among practitioners and voluntary groups within the company, and disseminating successful cases and insights across the organization
• Creation of use cases
  Encouraging all employees to proactively utilize AI to improve and advance their daily operations
• Development of a supportive environment
  Offering consultation services and hands-on support to promote trial-and-error and continuous improvement
• Introduction of an incentive system
  Recognizing and rewarding employees’ initiatives and challenges in AI utilization
  
  

Yasunobu Suzuki, NYK director and senior managing executive officer, commented on the initiative:
“‘SAIL with AI Compass’ is not merely a digital initiative — it is a challenge to evolve the very way we work and create value at NYK. Through this initiative, we aim to have all employees shift to the ‘user side’ of AI, enabling them to actively reassess and enhance their own operations. In doing so, we will generate greater value even with limited human resources. Another key element is building a foundation that captures frontline knowledge and challenges and shares them across the organization, enabling continuous learning and evolution.”



Looking ahead, NYK plans to expand the knowledge cultivated through this initiative globally, thereby strengthening the NYK Group’s competitiveness and creating new value across international operations.

In April 2026, NYK was selected as a Digital Transformation Platinum Company for 2026–2028 under the Digital Transformation (DX) Stock program, a joint initiative by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and Japan’s Information-Technology Promotion Agency.

NYK will continue advancing its digital initiatives and unlocking new possibilities in shipping and logistics through value creation driven by AI technologies.