Seoul: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son visited Seoul on Tuesday for a significant meeting with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong. The trio reportedly discussed potential collaboration on AI investments and future strategies, marking a noteworthy development as the global AI industry sees increased competition.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this meeting gains importance amidst the intensifying AI leadership race between the United States and China. Companies from the US and its allies are seeking collaborations to counter China's advancements in AI technology. The partnership between OpenAI and SoftBank is already underway with their $500 billion AI infrastructure project, Stargate, which aims to bolster AI capabilities, and Samsung's role could prove critical, especially in the semiconductor sector.
The visit to Samsung appears to be driven by the need to secure strong allies to compete against China's emerging AI models, such as the recently launched DeepSeek. For Samsung's Lee, cleared of charges related to a merger between Samsung affiliates, such cooperation could fuel future growth for the company.
The US government, under the Trump administration, is heavily invested in maintaining its AI hegemony, having launched the AI infrastructure project alongside key figures like Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and the CEOs of SoftBank and OpenAI at the White House. This endeavor underscores a strategic push by the US and Japan to expand their AI influence.
Prior to the Seoul meeting, Altman visited Tokyo and, together with Son, agreed to establish a joint venture in Japan to provide AI services to corporate clients. Furthermore, Altman's meetings in Korea included discussions with Chey Tae-won of SK Group and a strategic partnership announcement with Korean tech firm Kakao.
As the AI rivalry intensifies following the launch of DeepSeek, the US appears to be accelerating its efforts to counter China through strategic alliances, crucial for expanding the AI value chain. A potential AI alliance between Korea, the US, and Japan could present lucrative business opportunities for Korean companies, enhancing chip exports and AI infrastructure.
Despite the promise of such alliances, Korea faces challenges with its AI policies. A government committee established last year to promote the domestic AI industry has become inactive amid political upheaval. Meanwhile, regulatory hurdles and limited AI funding compared to the US and China remain significant obstacles, as does Korea's relatively small pool of AI talent.
Nonetheless, OpenAI's engagement with Korean firms is promising. Artificial intelligence is pivotal to the future of technologies like autonomous driving and robotics, offering a promising avenue for job creation. Building Korea's tech sector around AI through global collaborations is a pressing national priority, and an alliance with the US and Japan could be instrumental in advancing Korea's AI ecosystem.