US startup OpenAI, supported by Microsoft, has offices in London and Dublin. This week marks its expansion into Asia with a new office in Japan, signaling a push for broader cooperation with regional businesses. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, sees this move as the inaugural step towards deeper engagement in the Asian market.
Reaching Out to Japanese Partners:
In a video message, Altman directly reached out to potential partners in Japan, highlighting Tokyo as the starting point for their operations. OpenAI, known for its popular chatbot ChatGPT, anticipates collaboration not only with ordinary users and businesses but also with government agencies and research institutes. The establishment of their first Asian office aims to facilitate connections with clients in the region.
Building Bridges with Japanese Market:
Reuters reports that Altman and Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s COO, have engaged with numerous entrepreneurs and executives in the US and UK this month. Last year, Altman announced plans for a Japanese office following discussions with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. At the opening ceremony in Tokyo, Lightcap noted the high demand for OpenAI’s services and expressed optimism about generating substantial revenue in Japan over time.
Leadership and Localization:
Tadao Nagasaki, former president of Amazon Web Services in Japan, will lead OpenAI’s local business. With a tailored model for the Japanese market, OpenAI already serves notable clients like Toyota and Daikin Industries, alongside government organizations, notes NIXsolutions. Microsoft’s recent pledge of $2.9 billion investment in cloud infrastructure and AI in Japan further underscores the growing significance of AI in the region.We’ll keep you updated on OpenAI’s progress as they deepen their roots in the Japanese market and expand their footprint across Asia.