- OpenAI expands in Asia with partnerships in South Korea (Kakao) and Japan (SoftBank), enhancing AI adoption in local markets.
- Strategic AI integration includes a Korean-language assistant, KakaoTalk AI features, and SoftBank’s $3 billion investment in OpenAI technology.
- Broader infrastructure plans involve AI data centers under the Stargate Project, with up to $500 billion in potential funding.
OpenAI has expanded its presence in Asia through two major partnerships, marking a strategic move to strengthen its foothold in key markets. The artificial intelligence company announced a collaboration with South Korea’s Kakao, following a separate deal with Japan’s SoftBank. These agreements not only bring OpenAI’s technology to millions of new users but also position the company to refine its language models with more diverse linguistic data.
In South Korea, OpenAI is working with Kakao, the tech giant behind the popular messaging app KakaoTalk. The partnership will introduce a Korean-language AI assistant called Kanana, integrate OpenAI’s technology into KakaoTalk, and enable Kakao employees to utilize ChatGPT Enterprise. The announcement, made at an event in Seoul, underscores OpenAI’s commitment to expanding AI applications in Korean industries, from semiconductors to internet services. Additionally, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has engaged in talks with Samsung and SK Hynix to explore AI-driven semiconductor advancements.
Meanwhile, in Japan, OpenAI has solidified a joint venture with SoftBank, establishing SB OpenAI Japan. SoftBank has allocated $3 billion annually to integrate OpenAI solutions across its business ecosystem. This includes deploying ChatGPT Enterprise, OpenAI’s API, and its newly introduced Operator agent. The partnership follows SoftBank’s broader ambitions in AI, including its previous efforts to develop Japanese-language AI models through its subsidiary, SB Intuitions, which will continue to operate independently. SoftBank’s UK-based chip designer, Arm, will also leverage OpenAI tools to boost productivity.
Beyond its immediate business applications, these collaborations serve a larger strategic purpose for OpenAI. By engaging with Kakao and SoftBank, OpenAI gains access to vast user data in Korean and Japanese, helping refine its AI capabilities in non-English languages. This move is particularly crucial as competition heats up, with China’s DeepSeek making significant strides in the generative AI space. Expanding into Asia allows OpenAI to maintain its competitive edge and solidify its influence in global AI development.
The partnerships also align with OpenAI’s broader infrastructure ambitions. Last month, the company announced a collaboration with SoftBank and Oracle to build massive AI data centers in the U.S. under the Stargate Project. With an initial investment of $100 billion and potential funding of up to $500 billion over four years, Stargate aims to bolster AI computing power. As OpenAI continues to expand globally, its growing ties in Asia signal a concerted effort to establish itself as the leader in AI innovation beyond English-speaking markets.
