OpenAI Embarks on Ambitious Stargate Korea with Samsung and SK

In a bold stride into the Asian market, OpenAI has announced a groundbreaking partnership with South Korean tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. This collaboration, a pivotal element of OpenAI’s expansive Stargate project, aims to harness advanced chip technology and memory solutions, with a total investment reportedly reaching $500 billion. Forged during CEO Sam Altman’s visit to Seoul, the project signifies Korea’s rising prominence in the global AI supply chain and promises substantial job creation.

Fueling Memory Demands: Samsung and SK Hynix’s Strategic Role

Both Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have committed to supplying cutting-edge memory chips essential for the increasing computational demands of Stargate. As leaders in the global memory market, this partnership is set to enhance their status within the AI chip supply chain. Complementing this, OpenAI and SK Telecom will establish Stargate Korea, a local AI data center to facilitate global model training and deployment.

Innovative Solutions with Floating Data Centers

In an intriguing development, Samsung has revealed a collaboration with OpenAI to explore Floating Data Centers (FDCs). These centers, expected to alleviate land resource constraints, aim to reduce cooling costs and carbon emissions. Using seawater cooling, they promise a more sustainable solution compared to traditional land-based data centers.

Backed by U.S. Support, Stargate Extends to Asia

The Stargate initiative, with solid backing from the previous U.S. administration, focuses on constructing a global network of AI super data centers. These centers integrate cloud computing and high-performance chip technology to support the stability of large language models like GPT.

Currently, plans include flagship centers in Texas and across several U.S. locations. However, the forthcoming collaborations with Samsung and SK signify OpenAI’s strategic expansion into Asia, crafting a transcontinental AI infrastructure that connects the Americas and Asia.