OpenAI Launches Partnerships with Samsung and SK Hynix to Propel Stargate Initiative
OpenAI partners with Samsung and SK Hynix to advance its Stargate AI infrastructure initiative in South Korea.
- • OpenAI targets a $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure through partnerships in South Korea.
- • Samsung and SK Hynix will significantly increase DRAM wafer production for AI memory needs.
- • Floating data centers are part of the initiative to reduce costs and emissions.
- • Plans include the integration of ChatGPT Enterprise within partner operations.
Key details
OpenAI has formed significant partnerships with South Korean tech giants Samsung and SK Hynix to advance its transformative Stargate initiative, a colossal $500 billion project aimed at bolstering AI infrastructure. Announced on October 1, 2025, during a pivotal meeting in Seoul attended by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, the collaboration underscores a shared vision for strengthening the AI landscape in South Korea.
The partnership aims to enhance memory chip production to meet the growing demands of AI systems. Samsung and SK Hynix will ramp up their output to a target of 900,000 DRAM wafer starts per month. This initiative also includes an agreement to establish Stargate Korea, a dedicated AI data center, with plans to broaden data center capabilities throughout the region, moving beyond the confines of the Seoul Metropolitan Area as part of a strategy for equitable development.
Notably, Samsung’s subsidiaries, including Samsung SDS, will work with OpenAI on designing and managing AI data centers while also promoting the integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT Enterprise within their operations. The partnership also encompasses efforts aimed at developing innovative floating data centers. These floating facilities will address issues of land scarcity and reduce cooling costs and carbon emissions, showcasing a commitment to sustainability amidst rapid technological advancement.
OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, expressed confidence in South Korea's potential as a key player in the global AI arena, citing its robust technological assets and governmental support as major advantages. Samsung Electronic's Chairman, Lee Jae-yong, emphasized the urgency for the technology sector to unite in navigating the future of AI. Meanwhile, South Korean officials view this partnership as an opportunity to significantly enhance the country’s semiconductor industry and create job opportunities in the tech sphere.