Seoul: OpenAI, the U.S. tech company behind ChatGPT, said Wednesday it is seeking to expand partnerships with South Korean technology firms, including SK hynix Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., to build artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Jason Kwon, chief strategy officer (CSO) at OpenAI, noted during a press conference in Seoul that there are numerous ways to collaborate with South Korean firms in constructing physical data center infrastructure. He emphasized the potential for partnerships with SK and Samsung, particularly concerning hardware chips.

SK hynix and Samsung Electronics are recognized as global leaders in the memory market. SK hynix, in particular, dominates the high bandwidth memory (HBM) sector, a crucial component for AI computing and data centers. Kwon's remarks coincide with the official opening of OpenAI's Korean office in Seoul, marking the company's 12th office worldwide and its third in Asia.

Kwon identified South Korea as an ideal location for AI innovation due to its substantial pool of researchers, developers, and creators. He remarked on the country's status as a global technology powerhouse, attributing it to its cutting-edge infrastructure, innovative companies, and early technology adopters.

Furthermore, Kwon mentioned that South Korea is one of OpenAI's fastest-growing markets, leading Asia in ChatGPT subscriptions. He also revealed OpenAI's intent to bolster collaboration with Korean academia, announcing plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seoul National University later in the week.