OpenAI is set to open new offices in New York, Seattle, Paris, Brussels, and Singapore. This expansion adds to the AI giant's existing locations in San Francisco, London, Dublin, and Tokyo, signaling a major push for global growth.
The announcement comes on the heels of the company’s recent $6.6 billion funding round, which, coupled with a $4 billion credit line, has catapulted OpenAI to a reported valuation of $157 billion. These investments underline the company’s rapid growth trajectory, marked by its mission to create artificial general intelligence and spread its technological and research presence globally.
In Singapore, OpenAI plans to build a team by the end of this year, making it a key hub for supporting customers and partners across the Asia Pacific region. Managing director Oliver Jay, formerly with Asana and Dropbox, will oversee OpenAI’s international operations, starting from Singapore. "Singaporeans are among the highest per capita users of ChatGPT worldwide," OpenAI said in a statement, highlighting the region's readiness for AI adoption.
The Singapore office will also partner with AI Singapore, a government-led initiative to support AI development in the region. As part of the partnership, OpenAI will invest up to $1 million in AI Singapore to make its AI models more accessible to local languages and cultures. OpenAI's plans extend beyond just technology—they also focus on collaboration, training, and community engagement in the region.
OpenAI is also setting its sights on Europe, a market where the company sees immense opportunity for growth and collaboration. The upcoming offices in Paris and Brussels are positioned as central to OpenAI’s European outreach. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, emphasized France’s strong AI ecosystem and the potential to help local businesses and civic organizations benefit from AI technology. This announcement follows France’s increasing support for AI innovation, which the government has been heavily investing in since 2017. In Paris, OpenAI will also collaborate with the digital training organization Simplon, aiming to democratize AI knowledge and skills for under-resourced communities.
The Brussels office, meanwhile, indicates OpenAI’s growing interest in the policy landscape of the EU, aligning with the region’s regulatory developments on AI. Establishing a presence in Brussels allows OpenAI to engage more directly with the EU’s ongoing discussions on AI governance, contributing to a regulatory approach that aligns with OpenAI’s ambitions for AI safety and ethical use.
The New York and Seattle offices reflect a continued focus on expanding OpenAI’s U.S. operations. These cities are critical tech hubs, and OpenAI’s expansion here aims to tap into local talent pools and build stronger relationships with tech leaders and institutions in these regions. The new offices will join those in San Francisco and London, strengthening OpenAI’s role as a leading player in the global AI landscape.
As the company grows, it’s not just about geographic presence but also about positioning itself to work more closely with global partners, institutions, and communities. OpenAI’s expansion strategy clearly aligns with its broader mission: to ensure that AI benefits all of humanity, while staying responsive to local needs and contexts.