Kazunori Fukuda, Managing Director of Sansan Global, Thailand in an interaction with Asia Manufacturing Review shared his views on why leading companies are treating AI as a strategic partner rather than just a tool, how AI can amplify human judgment and improve business decision-making, what separates organizations that successfully collaborate with AI from those that don't, how businesses are using AI to make faster and smarter strategic decisions, how can AI enhance human creativity and unlock new business opportunities and more.
Kazunori Fukuda is the Managing Director at Sansan, bringing over two decades of international business and leadership experience. Prior to joining Sansan in 2017, he held various roles at Mitsui & Co., spanning sales, business development, and investments across Japan, Chile, and the UK. At Sansan, he has played a key role in global expansion, international operations, talent management, and digital transformation initiatives.
Why are leading companies treating AI as a strategic partner rather than just a tool?
Leading companies in APAC are moving beyond viewing AI as a simple automation tool because they recognize it’s potential to become a true strategic partner. In my work at Sansan, we observed that general-purpose AI often falls short for complex enterprise needs such as processing business documents. By developing our own specialized models, we turned AI into a reliable collaborator that enhances accuracy and delivers actionable insights. This approach allows organizations to move from isolated experiments to integrated capabilities that drive real competitive advantage.
The shift requires strong digital foundations and a clear focus on business outcomes. Companies that succeed treat AI adoption as part of their overall strategy rather than a standalone technology project. This mindset has helped us at Sansan improve workflows across our solutions while maintaining human oversight where it matters most.
How can AI amplify human judgment and improve business decision-making?
AI amplifies human judgment by handling repetitive, data-heavy tasks at scale, allowing professionals to focus on higher-value activities. For instance, AI-powered invoicing tools can quickly extract and structure invoice data, significantly reducing manual effort. This gives finance teams more time for analysis, risk assessment, and strategic planning. The combination of machine speed and human context leads to faster, more accurate and confident decisions.
Ultimately, the technology should support rather than replace human expertise. When properly integrated, AI surfaces patterns and insights that might otherwise be missed, while humans provide the judgment and accountability needed for complex business environments.
What separates organizations that successfully collaborate with AI from those that don't?
Successful organizations stand out because they invest in both technology and people. They build strong data foundations, align AI initiatives with clear business problems, and prioritize training and governance from the start. For instance, we have achieved high adoption rates by setting an “AI-First” direction and demonstrating value through real internal use cases. This cultural readiness separates them from companies that pursue scattered pilots without proper integration.
The key is treating AI as part of a broader transformation effort. Companies that fail often overlook change management and workforce development. In contrast, those that succeed create an environment where humans and AI work together effectively, leading to sustainable productivity gains and innovation.
Can AI enhance human creativity and unlock new business opportunities?
Yes, AI can significantly enhance human creativity by removing routine burdens and revealing new connections in data. In Southeast Asia, where many businesses still rely on manual processes, digitization through AI frees teams to focus on innovation and customer needs. Our solutions have enabled clients to move beyond basic efficiency gains toward new service offerings and market opportunities. The technology acts as a catalyst that sparks ideas while humans turn them into practical value.
This collaboration is particularly powerful in dynamic markets. When AI handles volume and pattern recognition, people can concentrate on creative problem-solving and relationship building. The result is not only better operations but also fresh business possibilities that were previously out of reach.
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Why is Human-AI collaboration emerging as the next competitive advantage?
Human-AI collaboration is becoming the next competitive advantage because it combines the best of both worlds: machine efficiency and human insight. In APAC, where cultural and regulatory nuances matter greatly, this balanced approach builds resilient organizations that can adapt quickly without losing trust. It strengthened the ability to serve clients across multiple markets while developing local talent in diverse locations.
Companies that master this collaboration gain speed, accuracy, and innovation capacity. They create cultures where technology augments human strengths rather than replacing them. This philosophy of co-prosperity helps organisations thrive in an increasingly complex business environment.
How are Businesses using AI to make faster and smarter strategic decisions?
Businesses are using AI to centralize fragmented data from documents, contracts, and operations, providing leaders with timely and reliable insights. Our platforms, for instance, dramatically reduce the time needed for invoice processing and contract management, enabling faster monthly closes and earlier risk detection. This real-time visibility allows executives to make more informed strategic choices rather than relying on delayed or incomplete information.
The smarter aspect comes from keeping humans in the loop. AI excels at processing volume, but strategic decisions still require human judgment and context. When the two work together, organizations achieve both speed and quality in their decision-making processes.
What does it take to turn AI from an experiment into a true strategic partner?
Turning AI into a strategic partner requires solid foundations, focused use cases, and strong leadership commitment. Organizations must first ensure their digital infrastructure is ready, and then customize solutions for their specific needs while investing in workforce training. We learned this through our own journey of building specialized AI models and proving their value internally before scaling.
Success also depends on culture and governance. Companies need to foster an environment of trust, iteration, and collaboration. By emphasizing augmentation over replacement and maintaining clear human oversight, AI moves from experimental projects to an integrated part of long-term business strategy.