Ventia is working with OpenAI to explore how artificial intelligence could be used across its operations, including potential deployment to more than 15,000 field-based employees.
The partnership focuses on practical applications in safety, asset management, field operations, customer service and internal operations. Ventia is assessing where the technology could reduce administrative work, support faster decisions and improve service delivery in complex operating environments.
Listed on the ASX, Ventia provides infrastructure services across Australia and New Zealand. It employs more than 35,000 people across 400 sites in sectors including defence, telecommunications, transport, utilities and social infrastructure.
The arrangement with OpenAI goes beyond office productivity tools. Australia-based OpenAI engineers are working with Ventia teams to assess pilots and broader deployment across the group.
This includes access to ChatGPT Enterprise and OpenAI's application programming interface platform. The collaboration forms part of Ventia's broader approach to building an AI ecosystem with global partners.
Ventia is already testing early applications. One area under review is an AI-enabled system for work-winning and bid management, developed with OpenAI and build partner TomoroAI, to improve bid quality, turnaround times and win rates.
It has also run early trials with OpenAI tools, including Codex, to build software applications more quickly. One example is a supply partner portal, which showed potential to shorten development cycles and simplify interactions across its supply chain.
Field focus
A key part of the initiative is its focus on frontline staff, not just corporate teams. Ventia wants to examine how AI can support field workers in complex environments while reducing routine administration.
The company holds large commercial and government contracts, including a AUD $107 million deal with the Department of Defence and a AUD $100 million contract with the New South Wales government. Those contracts highlight the scale and sensitivity of some of the environments in which any new tools may eventually be used.
OpenAI will also support workforce training and adoption efforts. The programme will focus on practical AI use and embedding responsible use across the organisation.
The move comes as infrastructure and services groups assess whether generative AI can deliver value beyond traditional back-office functions. For businesses with large, dispersed workforces, a key test is whether AI can help staff in the field complete reporting, access information and make decisions more quickly without adding operational risk.
Ventia's announcement suggests it sees potential for AI in day-to-day service delivery as well as internal processes. Its references to safety, asset management and customer service point to a broad review of where the tools might fit across operations.
Derek Osborn, Group Executive, Innovation and Transformation, at Ventia, outlined the company's rationale.
"Ventia delivers essential services that millions of people rely on every day. By working with OpenAI, we're giving our teams practical access to advanced tools that can help them work more safely and efficiently, make faster decisions and unlock new ways to improve service delivery across complex environments," Osborn said.
Satya Tammareddy, Go-To-Market Lead for Australia and New Zealand at OpenAI, also commented on the collaboration.
"We're pleased to work with Ventia to bring advanced AI to one of the region's largest essential services organisations. This collaboration is designed to help Ventia unlock productivity, strengthen decision-making and explore new ways to support its teams and customers," Tammareddy said.
Both companies said the work would be guided by a shared commitment to the responsible, secure and practical use of AI.