OpenAI partners with Samsung and SK on massive $500 billion AI project

In South Korea, on October 1, 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman participated in a strategic meeting with key officials and corporate leaders, leading to significant agreements with two of the largest South Korean tech conglomerates, Samsung and SK Hynix. The collaboration is part of Stargate, a $500 billion initiative focused on expanding AI infrastructure and capabilities worldwide. The partnerships aim to address the increasing demands for high-performance memory chips necessary for AI development, with projections to require up to 900,000 chips monthly. The potential creation of a data center in Korea, named 'Stargate Korea,' is part of the agreement, reflecting the nation's urgent need for enhanced computing resources as AI technologies gain prominence in various sectors. The agreements are not only pivotal for OpenAI's operational needs but are also viewed as a crucial opportunity for South Korea's semiconductor industry. President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the collaboration's potential to offer more job opportunities and significantly enhance the nation's role in the global semiconductor market. Samsung and SK's commitment to accelerating the production of advanced chips signifies a hopeful advancement in both domestic capabilities and international competitiveness in the AI field. This partnership reflects a broader trend where collaborative efforts between governments and industries aim to build capable infrastructures to support the future of AI. The development and production of floating data centers as part of the agreements suggest innovative solutions to common challenges faced in static data center operations, such as land scarcity and energy consumption. The floating data centers may help mitigate environmental impacts while providing the necessary infrastructure for the expected AI demands. Altman's assertion of Korea's potential to be a global leader in AI is encouraged by strong government backing, technological expertise and an ecosystem conducive to innovation. In recent months, Korean demand for AI has exploded, highlighted by the rising popularity of tools like ChatGPT, which had over 20 million monthly active users reported in August. This growth has triggered immediate action from Korean technology leaders to accommodate an expanding digital landscape that necessitates swift and substantial infrastructure improvements. Overall, this partnership marks a significant step towards a robust AI ecosystem within Korea, anticipated to stimulate both domestic and international cooperation aimed at responsibly integrating advanced AI applications within societies.