
ChatGPT creator OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, is set to visit Korea on Tuesday, marking his first visit in nearly a year. Industry observers are closely watching to see if any announcements, such as the establishment of a Korean branch or investments in artificial intelligence data centers, will emerge from this trip.
According to industry sources on Monday, OpenAI plans to host a developer event, Builder Lab, in Seoul. The event will bring together around 100 local developers who utilize ChatGPT and AI model APIs along with OpenAI’s own developers conducting hands-on technical workshops.
Altman’s last visit to Korea was in January last year, when he visited Samsung Electronics’ Pyeongtaek plant in Gyeonggi Province, following an initial visit in June 2023 at the invitation of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
Details of Altman’s itinerary in Korea have been shrouded in secrecy, fueling speculation about potential announcements. An OpenAI official declined to comment on the specifics of the schedule or the event's content.
There is considerable interest in whether OpenAI will establish a Korean subsidiary or invest in AI data centers, especially following the company’s moves to set up its first Asian office in Tokyo in April 2024 and another Asia-Pacific office in Singapore later in the year.
The intrigue surrounding AI data center investments is linked to a memorandum of understanding signed earlier with the Korea Development Bank. Under this agreement, KDB would assist OpenAI in securing domestic data center leasing space.
Industry watchers are also keen to see if Altman will meet with key figures in Korea’s conglomerates, including Samsung Electronics Chair Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, as well as high-ranking government officials.
The SK chief previously met with Altman at Walkerhill Hotel during the OpenAI CEO’s visit to Korea in January last year. In June, while on a business trip to the US, Chey visited OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco, where he met with Altman again to exchange views on rapidly evolving AI technology and the future of the AI industry.
When Altman toured Samsung’s Pyeongtaek plant, he met with the tech giant's key executives, including Kyung Kye-hyun, who then oversaw Samsung's chip business. Afterward, he visited Samsung’s Seocho-gu office building in Seoul and had dinner with the management team.
According to foreign media, Altman visited Japan on Monday and met with SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. He plans to visit New Delhi on Thursday, followed by Berlin on Friday. He is also scheduled to attend the AI Safety Summit in France on Feb. 10 and the World Government Summit in the United Arab Emirates on Feb. 12.