OpenAI CEO Urges South Korea to Focus on Chip Development for AI Advancement

OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, has expressed interest in investing in South Korean AI startups following the success of ChatGPT in the country. During a tour of the country, Altman met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and other industry stakeholders, where he predicted that Korea could stay ahead of the AI curve by increasing its semiconductor investments. The rapid development of AI will increase the industry’s demand for processing chips and memory chips to store extensive data sets, according to Altman. South Korea ranks as the second-largest manufacturer of semiconductors globally, with over 70 fabrication plants scattered across the country. Samsung accounts for a significant chunk of exported chips, but analysts predict tighter competition for the top spot with new funding in place. OpenAI currently relies on Taiwanese chips, but Altman hinted the company would pivot to Korean chips to meet the increasing demand. Altman added the company is keen to invest in firms at the confluence of AI and semiconductors and explore collaboration opportunities with established semiconductor makers in the country. Altman’s world tour will see him liaise with regulators from nearly 20 cities amid brewing legal issues.