SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - OpenAI, the San Francisco artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, has opened an office in Seoul, its third in Asia and 12th worldwide.
“Our mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity,” Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s chief strategy officer, said at a press briefing in Seoul, Wednesday. “We can’t achieve that mission unless we are partnering closely with countries like Korea.”
South Korea, he noted, offers a unique combination of advanced infrastructure, globally competitive technology companies and early adopters eager to embrace new tools.
“Korea has long been recognized as a global technology powerhouse,” Kwon said.
OpenAI’s user base in South Korea has grown rapidly. Weekly ChatGPT users have quadrupled over the past year, the company said, while paid subscriptions have more than tripled, making Korea its largest market in the Asia-Pacific region.
The company said it hopes to position itself as a “trusted partner” for Korea’s AI transformation by working with local industries, universities and government agencies.
In February, OpenAI announced a strategic partnership with Kakao, the country’s leading internet company. The U.S. firm said it was preparing to integrate ChatGPT across Kakao’s digital ecosystem.
Beyond the tech sector, OpenAI said it is collaborating with Korean companies in industries ranging from construction and electronics to finance, travel, gaming and entertainment.
The company is also moving to deepen ties with academia. On Sept. 11, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Seoul National University, with plans to expand research collaborations with other institutions.
“Our presence here isn’t just about reaching more users,” Kwon said. “It’s part of our goal to become a true partner for Korea’s AI transformation.”
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