Sam Altman Advocates for AI Chip Development in South Korea

Altman’s Visit to South Korea

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the development company behind ChatGPT, recently visited South Korea. During his meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol on June 9, he urged the nation to take the lead in manufacturing chips needed for artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Altman further signaled his interest in investing in Korean startups and partnering with major chipmakers like Samsung Electronics.

（Image via Han Joo-hyung）

Focus on AI and Chipmaking

In a proposition made to local news media, Altman suggested that South Korea concentrate on chip development. Given that both system semiconductors and memory chips are integral for AI, he called for a reduction in corporate regulations to nurture AI initiatives and strive for the establishment of international standards.

Altman’s Global AI Dialogue

Altman, who recently embarked on a journey across Europe to engage with policymakers and leaders discussing the potential and challenges of AI, has now extended his travels to include Israel, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, India, and South Korea.

（Image via Reuters）

Investment in Korean Startups and Collaboration with Chipmakers

During a conference in Seoul, Altman revealed his plan to boost investment in Korean startups. When asked about potential collaborations with Korean chip manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, he confirmed ongoing discussions and expressed his eagerness to continue the dialogue.

AI, Data, and Memory Chips

Altman discussed the reliance of AI on the transfer of large volumes of data, leading to a surge in demand for memory chips. He noted that OpenAI currently uses chips from Taiwan, but projected a future need for a supply of chips from Korea.

Regulatory Measures in AI

The rapid progress and wide acceptance of generative AI, prompted by the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI with support from Microsoft, have spurred lawmakers around the globe to devise regulations that address safety implications associated with the technology.

South Korea’s Role in AI Adoption

Altman lauded the way Koreans embraced and experimented with ChatGPT upon its release. He pointed out that Korea was among the earliest adopters of the service and displayed remarkable creativity in its usage.

（Image via The New York Times）

OpenAI’s Global Expansion

Altman shared that OpenAI is actively involved in the process of establishing an office in Japan and indicated that opening more offices worldwide is part of future plans.

Keywords: Sam Altman, OpenAI, ChatGPT, artificial intelligence, chip manufacturing, system semiconductors, memory chips, global AI dialogue, generative AI, Microsoft