Sam Altman, CEO and co-founder of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is set to visit South Korea to explore potential collaborations, including partnerships with tech giant Kakao.
OpenAI will host a closed-door workshop, “Builder Lab,” for local companies and startup developers on Feb. 4 at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul, according to industry sources. The event marks OpenAI’s first developer-focused gathering in South Korea, with Altman and other senior executives expected to attend.
Following the workshop, Altman is expected to join Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a at a press conference at the same venue, scheduled for 11 a.m. Kakao plans to unveil specific details about its collaboration with OpenAI during the event.
Last year, Kakao launched its AI-powered messaging service “Kanana,” a standalone app separate from its flagship KakaoTalk platform. The service features a personal AI assistant and employs a “model orchestration” strategy, enabling users to select and apply different AI models based on their needs. Altman’s visit is expected to accelerate Kakao’s AI development efforts, with OpenAI models playing a central role.
Shares of Kakao rose amid growing expectations for the partnership. As of 3 p.m. on Feb. 3, the company’s stock was trading at 41,900 won, up 3,550 won from the previous session.
