OpenAI is going big in Asia. Fresh off the heels of a viral moment for Chinese AI firm DeepSeek, OpenAI is forging key partnerships to expand its presence in diverse linguistic markets. The latest development? A major collaboration with Kakao, South Korea’s leading tech company.
A Stronger Foothold in South Korea
OpenAI and Kakao are teaming up to bring AI tools to the Korean market. The partnership, announced at a Seoul event featuring OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, and Kakao CEO, Shina Chung, centers on three major projects:
- Kanana, a Korean-language AI assistant – Built with OpenAI’s technology, this assistant aims to enhance user experience in Korean.
- Integration into KakaoTalk – OpenAI’s AI capabilities will be embedded into South Korea’s most popular messaging platform.
- Enterprise AI Adoption – Kakao will use ChatGPT Enterprise to improve internal operations and boost productivity.
The SoftBank Connection
OpenAI’s deal with Kakao comes just a day after SoftBank made a major commitment to OpenAI’s technology. The Japanese conglomerate has pledged $3 billion to integrate OpenAI tech across its operations. Additionally, SoftBank and OpenAI are launching a joint venture, SB OpenAI Japan, which will focus on AI solutions tailored for enterprises.
This deepening relationship between SoftBank and OpenAI goes beyond financial backing. Reports suggest that SoftBank is considering a substantial investment in OpenAI. The two companies are also rumored to be collaborating on Stargate, a project to develop AI supercomputers and infrastructure in the U.S.
Why These Partnerships Matter
These collaborations are more than just business deals, they are a gateway for OpenAI to expand its language models and reach new audiences. By working closely with major players in Korea and Japan, OpenAI gains access to millions of users who interact in their native languages. This exposure helps refine AI’s understanding of non-English contexts, making OpenAI’s models more versatile and competitive.
The timing of these partnerships is significant. DeepSeek’s recent rise highlights the potential of AI firms operating outside the U.S. If DeepSeek can sustain its momentum, it could challenge OpenAI’s dominance, particularly in English-language generative AI. OpenAI’s strategy? Expand globally and strengthen its capabilities in multiple languages.
OpenAI’s Wider Asian Strategy
Beyond Kakao, OpenAI is actively engaging with other major Korean tech giants. Altman recently met with executives from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, discussing AI-powered devices and custom AI chips. OpenAI is joining the likes of Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, companies already investing heavily in their own AI chip development.
Meanwhile, SoftBank’s AI vision has shifted. Initially, it had plans to develop Japanese-language AI models through SB Intuitions, a company launched in 2023. However, it’s unclear whether those plans remain intact or if they will be absorbed into the OpenAI partnership. OpenAI’s entry into the Japanese market suggests that SoftBank sees more potential in collaboration rather than building from scratch.
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The Bigger Picture
OpenAI’s move into Asia could be a part of a big ambition. The U.S. already plans to be a global force in AI and OpenAI could only be playing to that tune. While it faces competition from emerging players like DeepSeek, its partnerships with Kakao and SoftBank provide a solid foundation for growth in Korea and Japan.
