OpenAI is expanding its cooperation with Samsung Electronics as it works on the next generation of its custom AI chips. Harrison Kim, General Manager of OpenAI Korea, said at a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, without elaborating, that the companies have made significant progress in joint production and research, although he did not disclose specific details about Samsung’s role.
The partnership adds another layer to OpenAI’s growing semiconductor strategy. In June, OpenAI introduced Jalapeno, its first custom AI chip developed with Broadcom for AI inference workloads. The chip is planned to be manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC.
OpenAI is also working with South Korean semiconductor suppliers on memory needed for its expanding AI infrastructure. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix previously signed letters of intent to supply memory chips for OpenAI’s Stargate data centre project.
The focus on memory reflects the increasing computing requirements of newer AI models. OpenAI said demand for advanced memory chips is expected to rise as AI systems require faster and more complex computing, making cooperation with South Korean semiconductor companies an important part of its regional strategy.
The semiconductor relationship comes alongside a wider enterprise partnership between the two companies. Samsung has deployed ChatGPT Enterprise and Codex across its workforce in Korea and within its Device eXperience division globally, covering areas including research, software development, manufacturing and marketing.
OpenAI said ChatGPT Enterprise users at South Korean companies and institutions increased about 28 times by the end of August compared with a year earlier. South Korea also had the largest number of paying ChatGPT subscribers outside the US as of late last year, according to OpenAI.
FAQs
- What is OpenAI working on with Samsung?
OpenAI is working with Samsung on next generation AI chips as part of its broader semiconductor strategy.
- Why does OpenAI need AI chips?
AI chips provide the computing power needed to train and run advanced artificial intelligence models efficiently.
- What is Samsung’s role in OpenAI’s AI infrastructure?
Samsung is expected to support OpenAI through semiconductor and advanced memory technology as the company expands its AI infrastructure.
- What are AI memory chips?
AI memory chips store and quickly move the large amounts of data needed by AI systems, helping them process workloads faster.
