OpenAI also announced partnership with Japan’s SoftBank Group on Monday
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a pose for photographs after a press conference to announce partnerships on AI services, in Seoul, South Korea, February 4, 2025. — Reuters
OpenAI Partners with South Korea’s Kakao for AI Development Amid Asian Expansion
SEOUL – OpenAI has announced a strategic partnership with South Korean chat app giant Kakao to develop artificial intelligence (AI) products, marking its second major collaboration with an Asian tech powerhouse this week.
The announcement comes as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman embarks on a rapid tour of Asia, solidifying key alliances to expand the company’s AI footprint.
Expanding AI Influence Across Asia
On Monday, Altman revealed a partnership with Japan’s SoftBank Group, reinforcing OpenAI’s ambitions in the region. According to sources, he is expected to visit India on Wednesday, where he aims to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This series of high-profile collaborations underscores OpenAI’s efforts to strengthen its presence in Asia’s booming AI market, working alongside leading tech companies and government stakeholders to drive innovation.
Stay tuned for more updates as OpenAI continues its global AI expansion. 🚀
OpenAI Partners with Kakao to Expand AI Innovation in South Korea
SEOUL – OpenAI has announced a strategic partnership with South Korea’s Kakao, integrating ChatGPT-based AI technology into Kakao’s ecosystem. This marks OpenAI’s second major Asian alliance this week, following its collaboration with Japan’s SoftBank Group.
Kakao, which dominates 97% of South Korea’s messaging market with its flagship app KakaoTalk, has expanded into e-commerce, payments, and gaming. Despite its strong presence, analysts note that Kakao has trailed behind local competitor Naver in AI advancements.
“We are particularly interested in AI and messaging,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said during a press conference alongside Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a in Seoul.
Korean Firms Key to OpenAI’s Stargate Project
Altman also highlighted that South Korean companies would play a crucial role in OpenAI’s Stargate data center project, a massive $500 billion private-sector AI infrastructure initiative announced last month by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“There is so much happening in Korea that will be critical for that,” Altman remarked, though he declined to disclose further details, citing confidentiality.
Meetings with SK, Samsung & SoftBank
Altman’s Seoul visit included a meeting with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, with additional talks reportedly scheduled with Samsung Chairman Jay Y. Lee and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son later in the day, according to Maeil Business Newspaper.
Both SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics manufacture high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, which are vital for AI processing.
While Samsung declined to comment, SoftBank has yet to issue a statement on the reported discussions.
South Korea’s National AI Computing Center & OpenAI’s Interest
South Korea is set to establish a national AI computing center, drawing up to 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) in investment from both public and private sectors.
When asked if OpenAI would participate, Altman confirmed that the company is “actively considering” an investment in the initiative.
Stock Market Reaction
Following the announcement, Kakao’s stock surged 9% on Monday, with a continued 0.2% increase on Tuesday.
With South Korea’s booming AI sector, semiconductor dominance, and surging demand for AI solutions, OpenAI’s partnership with Kakao signals a stronger foothold in the Asian AI market.
