OpenAI to set up office in Singapore

Apart from opening an office in Singapore, OpenAI has also announced a partnership with AI Singapore to make advanced AI more widely accessible in Southeast Asia.

OpenAI is opening an office in Singapore. The tech company recently came under the spotlight following its restructuring plans confirmed their physical presence will be in the country by the end of the year.

OpenAI already has a strong influence in Singapore and the Southeast Asia region, with Singaporeans being some of the most active users of ChatGPT. According to statistics, the number of weekly active users in Singapore have doubled since the beginning of the year.

With growing demand for AI by businesses in Singapore and the region, the setting up of the physical office also reflects the country’s strong position in catering to the advanced AI tools across the region. In fact, Singapore records the third highest adoption of AI use cases in enterprises after the US and China.

To support its presence, OpenAI has already started building a team in the country, with local talents expected to be part of the hub that will support customers and partners in the region. OpenAI is already working with governments and businesses in the region.

Spearheading these efforts in Singapore and across the region will be Oliver Jay. Jay will be the Managing Director for International. Based in Singapore, he will oversee OpenAI’s international operations and global expansion.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI stated that Singapore’s rich history of technology leadership has emerged as a leader in AI, recognizing its potential to solve some of society's hardest problems and advance economic prosperity.

“We're excited to partner with the government and the country's thriving AI ecosystem as we expand into the APAC region," said Altman.

Interestingly, the setting up of an office in Singapore may serve as blow to neighboring Indonesia. Sam Altman was granted a golden visa by the Indonesian government last year for 10 years in a bid that he would help in developing AI in the country. While the setting up of an office in Singapore may not disrupt Altman’s plans for Indonesia, it may still make the Indonesian government ponder the company’s decision.

Despite this, OpenAI remains optimistic with it plans in Singapore. Through the local presence, OpenAI will be able to work more closely with Singapore government partners, such as the Economic Development Board (EDB), to support Singapore’s local AI ecosystem and help shape an AI-powered future that benefits everyone.

Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board commented that OpenAI’s decision to establish a presence in Singapore, its hub in APAC, underscores the strength of the country’s growing AI ecosystem, fueled by the government’s investments in AI talent, AI compute and AI demand by enterprises.

“As part of Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0, Digital Industry Singapore (EDB, ESG and IMDA) fosters collaboration between AI innovators and Singapore-based enterprises so that they can harness innovation for productivity and growth. We look forward to the multiplier effects of this move, sparking new collaborations and bringing more leading-edge AI companies to our region,” said Poh.

Apart from the opening of a new office, OpenAI announced a partnership with AI Singapore to make advanced AI more widely accessible across Southeast Asia. Through the partnership, OpenAI will provide up to US$1 million to help develop resources, including open datasets, to ensure AI models are better suited to Southeast Asia’s diverse languages and cultures.

“We welcome OpenAI's participation in our shared vision in enhancing Southeast Asian representation in the global landscape of large language models. This effort will improve the availability and quality of Southeast Asian data and encourage further development and adoption of AI models and solutions in our region," said Dr Leslie Teo, Senior Director of AI Products, AI Singapore.

OpenAI will also be hosting its first Developer Day in Singapore next month. The conference will bring together the region’s flourishing community of developers and startups who are building the future of AI.