OpenAI announced it will collaborate with governments around the world to build artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The plan is to expand the AI infrastructure enhancement project 'Stargate,' led by Oracle and SoftBank Group, under the Trump administration to the global stage. As interest in the initial 10 countries that will become OpenAI's AI allies grows, predictions arise that AI control may be threatened in the domestic industry.
According to the IT media TechCrunch on the 12th, OpenAI announced a new project called 'OpenAI for Countries.' The program aims to establish data centers in various countries to develop country-specific ChatGPT based on these centers and to create national AI startup funds, among other objectives. OpenAI stated it aims to begin the project in 10 initial countries and hopes for participation from many nations. The funding for the project will be jointly borne by OpenAI and the respective governments, but specific target countries have yet to be announced.
This project is also an extension of the 'Stargate' project, which is a super-large-scale AI infrastructure initiative from the United States. Launched by President Donald Trump in January, Stargate plans to invest $500 billion (702 trillion won) in AI infrastructure over four years through a joint venture involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. The project envisions starting with a data center being constructed in Abilene, Texas, roughly the same size as New York's Central Park and gradually increasing the number of centers.
An OpenAI representative said, "We have received requests from several countries wanting to build AI infrastructure like Stargate in their own nations," adding that "Countries recognize that such infrastructure will be key to future economic growth and national development." Additionally, the representative noted, "We will provide a clear alternative to dictatorial AI, which seeks to concentrate power, by supporting countries that aim to establish democratic AI foundations globally" and added that "we will pursue formal infrastructure collaborations with governments interested in this project in cooperation with the U.S. government."
Industry analysts suggest that OpenAI's project is not merely a technical collaboration but aims to actively establish an AI alliance led by the United States. In fact, OpenAI has limited its cooperation targets to countries that utilize its technology in a democratic manner, indicating a focus on countering China. Particularly, the attempt to draw upon national government budgets to create a national-based AI alliance is interpreted as going beyond simple technological cooperation. This suggests that as the global status of ChatGPT rises, OpenAI is emerging as a geopolitical actor beyond just a tech corporation in the U.S.
Concerns are being raised that if the 'AI alliance front' led by OpenAI solidifies, the AI control of countries around the world could be threatened. This is because a restructured AI order centered on OpenAI might only enhance its influence within allied countries. In this context, Michael Kratchios, Director General of the Science and Technology Policy Bureau, stated, "If U.S. technological achievements in AI and aerospace are successfully commercialized, it could become a powerful diplomatic tool for the United States."
Although the list of countries has not been disclosed, Japan and South Korea are expected to be strong candidates in the Asian region. OpenAI had previously announced a plan to invest $3 billion (4.2 trillion won) by establishing a joint venture called 'SB OpenAI Japan' with SoftBank in Japan. In South Korea, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, visited in February and met with Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, and formalized a strategic technology partnership with Kakao. Domestic corporations are closely monitoring whether South Korea will be included among the targeted countries for this project, especially those like Naver and Kakao that are developing their own large language models (LLMs), which could pose a threat.
Choi Byung-ho, a professor at Korea University AI Research Institute, said, "For AI cooperation, a 'win-win' scenario must be established between OpenAI and South Korea, but currently there doesn't seem to be much that could benefit South Korea." He continued, "Recently, OpenAI seems to be focusing on expanding in social media (SNS) and shopping sectors, ultimately aiming to grow local businesses," adding that "the more support they receive from governments, the better it becomes, and in that aspect, the AI alliance is significantly beneficial for OpenAI."