OpenAI has formed a new partnership with Kakao, a South Korean tech giant, to develop AI products for the South Korean market. The announcement was made during a press conference in Seoul, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a present. This deal is part of OpenAI’s broader strategy to expand its AI presence in Asia.
This follows a similar partnership with SoftBank in Japan earlier this week. Altman highlighted the importance of South Korea’s energy, semiconductor, and internet sectors in driving demand for AI products. To enhance its AI capabilities, Kakao plans to integrate OpenAI’s technology into its services, including its popular messaging app KakaoTalk.
The company sees AI as a key growth engine despite lagging behind rival Naver in the AI race.
Altman partners with Kakao for AI
Altman also met with SK Group and Samsung executives to discuss AI chips and potential cooperation.
SK Hynix, a key player in AI processor production, has been discussing collaboration in the AI ecosystem with OpenAI. OpenAI is actively considering involvement in South Korea’s national AI computing center project, which is expected to attract up to $1.4 billion in investment. Altman indicated that many local companies would play a role in OpenAI’s Stargate data center project in the United States.
Following the announcement, Kakao’s stock fell by 2% after a 9% surge the previous day. The partnership signifies a significant step for OpenAI as it continues to extend its influence in the Asian market, positioning itself as a pivotal player in the region’s growing AI industry. Altman is scheduled to visit India on Wednesday, further underscoring OpenAI’s commitment to strengthening its Asian presence.
The collaboration with Kakao marks a significant stride in the AI landscape within Asia, underlining a trend where major tech companies are increasingly integrating advanced AI to enhance their service offerings and operational capabilities.
