OpenAI will open its first office in Asia in Seoul and has established a legal entity in South Korea, the company said on Monday, as usage of its ChatGPT service continues to grow rapidly in the country.
South Korea ranks second only to the United States in the number of paying ChatGPT subscribers, according to OpenAI. The company said it has started hiring staff to support operations and partnerships in the country, with further announcements expected in the coming months.
“Korea’s full-stack AI ecosystem makes it one of the most promising markets in the world for meaningful AI impact, from silicon to software, and students to seniors,” said Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, in a statement.
Earlier this year, OpenAI disclosed plans to co-develop AI products for South Korea with Kakao Corp, the operator of the country’s dominant messaging platform. Kwon is currently in Seoul and is expected to meet with representatives from both the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party, local media reported.
The move marks a significant step in OpenAI’s global expansion and underlines the strategic importance of South Korea’s technology landscape for the future of artificial intelligence.