OpenAI Forms 'Stargate' Alliance with Samsung and SK: "Korea Has All the Elements to Lead in AI"

Altman: "We Will Support Korea's AI Vision"

Yonhap News Agency

OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, is joining forces with Samsung Electronics and SK to build the next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. This strategic partnership centers on expanding the supply of memory semiconductors essential for next-generation AI and establishing a data center in Korea, positioning the country as a global hub for its ambition to become one of the world’s top three AI powerhouses. OpenAI announced these plans on its official blog on October 1.

The agreement was announced immediately after a meeting at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, attended by President Lee Jaemyung, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jaeyong, SK Group Chairman Chey Taewon, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Through this collaboration, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will significantly expand their production capacity for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced DRAM, both of which are vital for next-generation AI training and inference. The two companies have set a goal to secure a monthly production capacity of 900,000 DRAM wafers, supporting the memory supply needed for OpenAI’s model training and services.

Extensive collaboration is also planned in the data center sector. OpenAI has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Science and ICT to jointly explore the possibility of constructing a next-generation AI data center outside the Seoul metropolitan area. This initiative aims to promote balanced regional development and job creation. In addition, OpenAI has entered into a separate partnership with SK Telecom to establish an AI data center, while Samsung C&T, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Samsung SDS are also participating in discussions to expand data center infrastructure.

Samsung and SK plan to introduce OpenAI’s enterprise service, ChatGPT Enterprise, and its API into their internal operations to drive work innovation and new forms of research and development (R&D). By directly adopting global AI technologies, they aim to strengthen internal capabilities while applying these innovations to industrial sites.

CEO Altman stated, "Korea has all the elements to become a global leader, including outstanding technical talent, world-class infrastructure, strong government support, and a vibrant AI ecosystem. Through the Stargate Project, we will collaborate with Samsung, SK, and the Ministry of Science and ICT to support Korea’s AI vision."