Business
OpenAI to open second Asian office in Singapore
OpenAI will open its second Asian office in Singapore in 2024, following its first office in Tokyo established earlier this year. This fourth international branch aims to enhance regional collaboration and partner with local initiatives, including AI Singapore, focusing on generative AI models that reflect Southeast Asia’s diverse cultures and languages.
SINGAPORE: OpenAI, the San Francisco-based leader in generative artificial intelligence (AI), has revealed plans to open its second Asian office in Singapore later in 2024.
This will mark the company’s fourth international branch, focusing on enhancing regional collaboration and partnering with local initiatives, such as the national AI programme, AI Singapore.
This expansion comes on the heels of OpenAI securing billions of dollars in funding and credit, leading to a valuation of $157 billion, bolstered by support from SoftBank Group Corp., a prominent AI investor.
Earlier this year, the US startup established its first Asian office in Tokyo, where it introduced a bespoke GPT-4 model specifically designed for Japanese-language customers.
CEO Sam Altman expressed excitement about the move, stating, “Singapore, with its rich history of technology leadership, has emerged as a leader in AI, recognising 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.”
Altman, who last visited Singapore in June 2023, highlighted the increasing demand for advanced AI tools across APAC, noting that Singaporeans rank among the highest-per-capita users of ChatGPT globally.
The number of weekly active users in Singapore has doubled since the start of 2024.
OpenAI plans to hire between five and ten employees before 2025 for roles related to sales, security, and solutions engineering, with a strong commitment to local talent.
The regional operations will be led by Oliver Jay, former chief revenue officer at Asana, who will serve as managing director of International based in Singapore.
The firm intends to collaborate more closely with Singaporean government partners, such as the Economic Development Board (EDB), to support AI development in the region.
OpenAI aims to invest up to US$1 million in resources to create AI models that accurately reflect the region’s diverse languages and cultures in partnership with AI Singapore.
AI Singapore is currently developing Sea-Lion, a network of large language models akin to ChatGPT, specifically trained for Southeast Asian users to ensure that the AI captures the region’s unique cultural nuances.
Since the public launch of ChatGPT in 2022, OpenAI’s technology has rapidly integrated into various AI solutions for businesses and government entities in Singapore, including customer service chatbots and an internal AI assistant for civil servants known as Pair.
Competing AI models from Google Cloud and Meta are also being tested in several local projects.
This expansion comes amidst reports of OpenAI transitioning from a non-profit research lab to a more investor-friendly, for-profit model due to rising operational costs associated with running powerful AI systems globally.
While OpenAI maintains that its non-profit arm is central to its mission, this shift has raised industry concerns regarding the management of AI risks, including data collection practices and ethical considerations.
OpenAI is set to host its first Developer Day in Singapore on 21 November, targeting local developers and start-ups to foster innovation in the AI space.
-
Singapore6 days ago
Purported resignation message from Li Hongyi as Singpass director goes viral; GovTech yet to confirm authenticity
-
Community4 days ago
PAP MP Edward Chia: ‘Sanctions on Israel do not work’ when confronted by Holland-Bukit Timah resident
-
Singapore5 days ago
Lee Hsien Yang alleges rising repression and corruption in Singapore; government calls claims a ‘personal vendetta
-
Comments2 weeks ago
8World News anchor Zhang Haijie faces criticism for labelling Lee Hsien Yang as ‘unfilial son’
-
Politics2 weeks ago
Singapore govt accuses Lee Hsien Yang of creating ‘false urgency’ over 38 Oxley Road demolition
-
Opinion1 week ago
Where does Lee Hsien Loong stand on the future of 38 Oxley Road as the government revisits the issue?
-
Politics1 week ago
Charles Yeo claims Singapore is seeking his extradition from UK; AGC remains silent
-
Opinion2 weeks ago
Where is the iron in Lawrence Wong? Hiding from direct response to Lee Hsien Yang?