Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, has announced that the organization is considering opening an office in Japan and expanding its Japanese language services following a meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“We hope to spend significantly more time here, engage with the remarkable talent, and build something exceptional for the Japanese people,” Altman told reporters in Tokyo on Monday. “It’s truly impressive to witness the adoption of this technology in Japan.”
Since the launch of its ChatGPT service in November, OpenAI has sparked widespread interest in artificial intelligence technologies.
Microsoft Corp. has committed $10 billion to the company and integrated the technology into its Bing search engine. In response, Google, the leading search service globally, has incorporated AI into its offerings.
Altman reported that he discussed the potential of the technology with Kishida, as well as strategies to address its potential drawbacks.
They also explored how to manage risks and ensure that AI is “as beneficial for people as possible.” Altman emphasized that OpenAI aims to make its models effective for the Japanese language and culture.
“We believe that the development of AI will be one of the most significant technological revolutions ever, and Japan’s role will be crucial as both an adopter and creator of this technology,” Altman said after meeting with local politicians. He added that Japan could “help set the global agenda for regulations.”
Takuya Hirai, who chairs the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s committee on the promotion of a digital society, stressed the need for regulation—whether through legislation or guidelines—due to the risks AI poses to human rights and privacy if left unchecked.
“It is crucial for the government to establish a safe environment for people as soon as possible,” Hirai said.
Altman noted that OpenAI is working on initiating operations in Japan. “I believe we’ll return in a few months, and I am hopeful for significant collaboration,” he added.
