Samsung, OpenAI, and SoftBank Leaders Convene in Seoul to Explore AI Collaborations

February 5, 2025 – According to reports, Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank, held a tripartite meeting in Seoul, South Korea on Tuesday to explore potential collaboration opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence.

Insights from informed sources reveal that Altman had initially planned to meet with the top brass of Samsung’s chip division. However, following Jae-yong’s acquittal in an appellate court on Monday, he decided to personally attend the meeting. Upon learning of Jae-yong’s direct involvement, Son also chose to participate.

Prior to the gathering, Son indicated to Korean media that discussions would include potential cooperation on the “Stargate” project. This AI infrastructure initiative, valued at 500billion,isledbyOpenAIandSoftBankintheUnitedStates.ItwasannouncedlastmonthbyPresidentDonaldTrump.SoftBankisaprimarysupporteroftheprojectandhasconsideredinvestingbetween15 billion to $20 billion directly into OpenAI.

Notably, in 2022, Son and Jae-yong met in Seoul to deliberate on SoftBank’s sale of the British chipmaker Arm. Furthermore, OpenAI and SoftBank recently announced the establishment of a joint venture named “Crystal Intelligence” in Japan, aimed at providing enterprise-level AI services. Samsung is positioned as a potential chip supplier for this new enterprise.

Meanwhile, Altman has also engaged in meetings with executives from other Korean conglomerates, including Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, indicating a broadening of AI-related collaborations in the region.

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