Samsung and SK are set to actively participate in the Stargate Project, a mammoth AI infrastructure construction project valued at USD 5 trillion (approximately KRW 702 trillion), in collaboration with OpenAI. The two companies plan to supply memory semiconductors, such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM), to OpenAI and jointly develop data centers, which is expected to further strengthen the Korea-U.S. 'AI alliance'.

● Strengthening cooperation with OpenAI by Samsung and SK

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, on October 1 at Samsung Electronics' Seocho office in Seoul, to cooperate in building global AI core infrastructure. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won also signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of memory semiconductors with CEO Altman on the same day. Chairman Chey stated, "We will focus SK's integrated AI infrastructure capabilities, encompassing everything from memory semiconductors to data centers, on this partnership."

Samsung and SK will supply semiconductors for OpenAI's Stargate Project. The Stargate Project, which involves constructing the world's largest AI data center, requires a massive amount of HBM. Approximately 900,000 wafers of HBM are needed monthly, which exceeds twice the current global HBM production capacity. Additionally, a large amount of DRAM and NAND flash memory semiconductors is required. Globally, aside from domestic semiconductor companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, there are no companies capable of supplying such a volume of semiconductors stably. This is why OpenAI has formed an 'alliance' with Samsung and SK in Korea. Consequently, Hynix plans to establish a production system capable of responding promptly to OpenAI's large-scale supply request of up to 900,000 wafers per month.

Samsung sees the signing of this LOI as an opportunity to enhance the group's AI capabilities. Key Samsung affiliates, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung SDS, Samsung C&T, and Samsung Heavy Industries, have come forward as OpenAI contract partners. The company plans to consolidate its core capabilities in semiconductors, data centers, cloud, and marine technology to establish a comprehensive cooperation system with OpenAI.

● "Korean AI can make a leap forward"

The collaboration between Samsung, SK, and OpenAI is expected to continue beyond the semiconductor supply for the Stargate Project in the long term. Samsung is in discussions to construct a dedicated data center for OpenAI in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Samsung C&T and Samsung Heavy Industries will collaborate with OpenAI to develop offshore data centers. Offshore data centers are installed on the sea, offering fewer space constraints and reduced cooling costs. They also help decrease carbon emissions. However, due to the technical challenges of installation, only a few countries are preparing for commercialization. Samsung is venturing into this area with OpenAI. Samsung stated, "Through collaboration with OpenAI, Samsung will play a key role in Korea's advancement to become one of the top three global AI powerhouses."

SK Group has decided to build a dedicated AI data center for OpenAI in the southwestern region. In August, SK Group held a groundbreaking ceremony for the 'SK AI Data Center Ulsan' in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, strengthening its data center business through partnerships with global big tech companies. SK Group emphasized, "SK's participation in the Stargate Project will solidify the AI economic alliance between Korea and the U.S."

Experts believe that the partnership between Samsung and SK with OpenAI will allow domestic companies to benefit from the 'AI boom'. Cooperation is expected to extend beyond semiconductors to fields such as power equipment, construction, and air conditioning. Kim Jeong-ho, a professor at KAIST's Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, stated, "The collaboration with OpenAI provides an opportunity for various domestic industries to enhance their AI capabilities."

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