Sam Altman to visit Korea next week

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman attends a session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos on January 18, 2024. [Photo by AFP]

Sam Altman, chief executive officer of ChatGPT developer OpenAI, will visit South Korea next week and explore collaboration opportunities with major corporations and AI startups. There is also speculation that the opening of an Open AI Korean office may be imminent.

Altman told Maeil Business Newspaper on Wednesday in Davos, Switzerland, that he plans to visit Korea next week. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is taking place in Davos.

He noted that he has several meetings scheduled in Korea and that he can only stay for six hours this time, but he hopes to stay longer next time to meet with various people.

In response to a question about the necessity of AI ethics, he said that “AI ethics is definitely necessary and very important.” He noted that the key is how to set ethical norms and how to apply and manage them globally. The process of establishing and managing these norms is very important, he added.

His remarks underscore the importance of a thorough and inclusive process in forming an AI ethical framework.

Altman was dismissed by the OpenAI board in November 2023, but reinstated just five days later with the support of Microsoft Corp., OpenAI’s largest shareholder, a development seen in the industry as a clash of philosophies over AI development and regulation. Altman has since been labeled as an advocate for rapid development.

His visit to Korea next week will be his first since June 2023. During his previous visit, he met with President Yoon Suk Yeol and expressed his willingness to collaborate with Korean startups, saying, that Korean AI startups are fully equipped to compete on the international stage.