OpenAI has forged a strategic alliance with South Korean technology leaders Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to secure the vast resources needed for its ambitious “Stargate” AI infrastructure project. The partnerships, formalized in Seoul, aim to create a stable supply of next-generation memory chips and develop new hyperscale data centers, positioning the nation as a critical hub in the future of artificial intelligence development. The collaboration underscores the immense computational and hardware requirements for building increasingly sophisticated AI models.
This multi-faceted agreement is a cornerstone of the $500 billion Stargate initiative, a program designed to construct a global network of advanced AI data centers by 2029. By locking in support from the world’s two largest memory chipmakers, OpenAI is directly addressing a primary bottleneck in AI advancement: the availability of specialized hardware. The deal not only involves supplying high-bandwidth memory (HBM) semiconductors but also extends to joint ventures in data center construction and enterprise AI services, signaling a deep integration of the South Korean tech ecosystem into OpenAI’s long-term vision. This move is set to dramatically reshape the global semiconductor landscape and intensify the race for AI supremacy.
A Presidential Seal on a Global Partnership
The significance of the collaboration was highlighted by a high-profile meeting at the presidential office in central Seoul. OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee, and SK Inc. Chairman Chey Tae-won to finalize the agreements. President Lee pledged his government’s full support for the venture, describing the agreements as “a global partnership that will set the standard for the AI era.” The direct involvement of the nation’s top political and corporate leaders illustrates South Korea’s determination to solidify its role as an indispensable player in the international AI supply chain. Samsung and SK Hynix, which together dominate the global market for DRAM and HBM chips, signed letters of intent to officially join the Stargate initiative, committing to a massive ramp-up in production and technological cooperation.
Addressing Unprecedented Hardware Demands
The Stargate project’s primary objective is to build the foundational infrastructure capable of powering the next generation of AI, a goal that comes with staggering hardware requirements. To meet its targets, OpenAI has requested chip volumes equivalent to as many as 900,000 semiconductor wafers per month by 2029, a figure more than double the current global production capacity for such components. This enormous demand centers on high-bandwidth memory chips, a critical component for training and running large-scale AI models due to their ability to process vast datasets at high speeds. Samsung and SK Hynix are at the forefront of HBM technology, making their involvement essential for the project’s success.
The Half-Trillion-Dollar Initiative
The Stargate initiative was first unveiled as a U.S. government-backed effort to maintain leadership in artificial intelligence, with OpenAI tasked to lead the charge alongside key technology partners including Microsoft, SoftBank, and Oracle. The $500 billion investment is aimed at creating a distributed network of custom-built data centers across the United States and allied nations. By expanding chip availability and building purpose-built AI factories, the project seeks to overcome the infrastructure limitations that currently constrain AI development. Nvidia has also signaled its support for the project, further underscoring the collaborative, multi-corporate nature of this massive undertaking.
“Stargate Korea” and a National AI Hub
The partnership extends far beyond simple component supply, envisioning South Korea as a strategic base of operations. As part of the agreement, OpenAI will work with Samsung and SK Hynix to establish two new hyperscale data centers in the country, forming a domestic initiative branded as “Stargate Korea.” These facilities will have an initial capacity of 20 megawatts and are a key part of leveraging the nation’s large number of paying ChatGPT subscribers, which is second only to the United States. This move aligns with Seoul’s national ambition to become one of the top three AI nations in the world.
Broadening Corporate Synergies
The collaboration will draw upon the diverse strengths of the Samsung and SK conglomerates. Samsung’s IT services division, Samsung SDS, will contribute expertise in data center design, construction, and operations, and has also signed a reseller agreement to promote OpenAI’s enterprise services to local companies. Furthermore, Samsung C&T and Samsung Heavy Industries will explore the joint development of innovative infrastructure solutions, including floating offshore data centers. On the SK side, SK Telecom will collaborate directly with OpenAI on building the domestic AI data center. SK Chairman Chey Tae-won stated that the partnership represents a “landmark moment” that will unlock synergies across the company’s full technology stack, including semiconductors, telecommunications, and energy.
Geopolitical and Strategic Dimensions
The Stargate project is widely viewed as a strategic imperative for the United States to secure its lead in a technology domain with significant economic and national security implications. The initiative was launched to ensure that American and allied nations maintain a competitive edge, particularly in curbing China’s rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. By partnering with South Korea, a key ally and a semiconductor powerhouse, the U.S. is diversifying and reinforcing the supply chain for the most critical components in AI development. The South Korean government has also signaled its openness to participating in financing the project if necessary, further cementing the strategic alignment. Top presidential adviser Kim Yong-beom emphasized the critical nature of the deal, stating that a significant part of the Stargate project would be “impossible without memory chips from the two companies.”