Former BCG X MD Jon Sugihara joins OpenAI to lead AI Success Engineering in APAC
OpenAI appointed Jon Sugihara as Head of AI Success Engineering for Asia-Pacific, tasking him with building and leading teams responsible for customer adoption, technical readiness, and post-deployment outcomes.
The move reflects OpenAI’s growing emphasis on enterprise execution as organizations shift from experimentation toward scaled, operational use of AI.
Sugihara shared the update on LinkedIn, marking his transition from BCG X, where he previously served as Managing Director and Partner and led GenAI initiatives across APAC.
In his new role, Sugihara is responsible for overseeing AI Success Engineering teams across the region that support customers deploying OpenAI’s chat, Codex, and API products. His remit includes guiding organizations from early deployment through scaled adoption, aligning AI capabilities with business workflows, and delivering measurable outcomes.
Sugihara wrote, “After six years at BCG and working with some amazing people, I have joined OpenAI with another group of amazing people.” He added, “AI is going to change us in a lot of ways and I want to be at the table during these conversations.”
The appointment points to OpenAI’s intent to formalize customer success and deployment functions globally, particularly as enterprise customers seek applied support beyond access to AI models.
From consulting-led GenAI to enterprise execution
Before joining OpenAI, Sugihara spent more than three years at BCG X in Singapore, where he led GenAI work and partnered with clients to identify and implement AI-driven value across business units. Reflecting on the transition, he wrote, “Much of what I learned at BCG I will take with me, so I am thankful for that experience.”
Earlier in his career, Sugihara also worked on venture-building initiatives, including time at Mandai X, where he focused on launching and scaling new businesses in response to rapid technological change.
In a previous LinkedIn post, he wrote, “I think a new baseline is being set and a lot of companies are going to get left behind much faster than they realize.”
Sugihara confirmed that building the AI Success Engineering function will involve active hiring across the region. He stated that his team “has a lot to do this year” and that he was “looking for some great people to join my team across APAC.”
For the EdTech and enterprise AI sectors, the appointment highlights a broader trend toward investment in regional expertise, customer success, and deployment support, as AI tools become embedded across education, workforce training, and institutional operations.
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