Samsung executives meet OpenAI CEO to discuss enterprise AI strategy

High-level corporate strategy

About 50 senior executives from the Samsung Group gathered at the company's Human Resources Development Center in Yongin to meet with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The meeting was organized under the theme "The Next 10 Years Shaped by AI: The Enterprise’s Choice," focusing on the long-term trajectory of the technology. These leaders represented a wide array of Samsung's major affiliates, including those in biotechnology, finance, and electronics.

The primary goal of the discussion was to explore how artificial intelligence can fundamentally transform corporate management and organizational structures. Executives shared their perspectives on the future of AI technology and identified specific areas where the tools could create new business opportunities. They specifically looked at how AI might improve the way companies make high-level decisions and manage large teams.

Beyond just technology, the group discussed the leadership capabilities that human managers will need to develop to navigate a changing business environment. This meeting serves as a centerpiece of Samsung's broader push to accelerate AI transformation across every branch of its business. It highlights a shift toward viewing AI as a core component of corporate governance rather than just a peripheral software update.

Hands-on executive training

Before the formal meeting with Altman, the senior executives participated in practical, hands-on training sessions regarding generative AI. These sessions were designed to teach leaders how to organize scattered business data into personalized knowledge bases. By creating these bases, executives can use AI-generated insights to support more informed management decisions in real-time.

This gathering marked the second intensive AI training program for Samsung's top leadership, following an initial session held in June. The company is moving quickly to ensure its highest-ranking officials are comfortable with the tools they will eventually oversee. The training aims to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and the actual technical capabilities of current AI models.

Samsung has already begun rolling out AI across its various operations, including manufacturing, marketing, and administrative functions. Each affiliate within the group is currently building its own specific AI adoption strategy. These strategies are supported by dedicated internal teams focused on data management, implementation, and the ongoing operation of AI models.

Scaling AI across the workforce

Samsung's commitment to AI integration is reflected in its ambitious timeline for employee education. Since June, the company has already trained about 2,300 executives in AI technologies. The group has set a goal to finish AI training for every single employee by February 2027.

To support this massive transition, Samsung plans to expand its use of external generative AI services within the workplace. This includes making one of OpenAI's largest enterprise deployments by rolling out ChatGPT Enterprise and Codex to employees in South Korea. These tools will be available to the global Device eXperience division as well.

The company is systematically integrating these tools into research and development as well as daily administrative tasks. By providing standardized access to these services, Samsung aims to create a cohesive AI environment across its global offices. This move ensures that the benefits of AI are not confined to a few departments but are accessible to the entire workforce.

Expanding the OpenAI partnership

The meeting with Sam Altman highlights a deepening partnership between Samsung and OpenAI that goes far beyond simple chip supplies. The relationship now encompasses AI infrastructure and enterprise services. This expansion was bolstered by a letter of intent signed in October 2025 regarding cooperation on global AI infrastructure.

A key part of this infrastructure cooperation includes Samsung's plans to supply advanced memory chips for OpenAI's Stargate project. Other Samsung affiliates are also involved in this initiative to ensure the hardware can support OpenAI's scaling needs. This demonstrates how Samsung is positioning itself as a foundational layer for the next generation of AI computing.

Furthermore, the partnership includes diverse industrial applications like data center development and floating offshore data centers. Samsung SDS is exploring enterprise AI services and data center development, while Samsung C&T and Samsung Heavy Industries are pursuing joint development of floating offshore data centers. These projects show how the partnership is being applied to both digital and physical infrastructure.

The path toward 2027

The ongoing exchange between Samsung and OpenAI reflects a high level of strategic alignment between a hardware giant and a software leader. This relationship was further solidified by a visit from Samsung Electronics Executive Chair Lee Jae-yong to OpenAI's headquarters in San Francisco in July. These interactions suggest a long-term commitment to co-developing the future of enterprise AI.

As Samsung moves toward its 2027 goal, the focus will likely shift from basic training to the full integration of AI into production workflows. The company is currently balancing the need for internal data management with the adoption of external generative services. This balance is critical for maintaining security while maximizing the efficiency of AI-driven insights.

For the reader, this story illustrates how the world's largest corporations are preparing for a future where AI is an invisible but essential part of management. The move toward