ChatGPT Founder Considers Expansion into Japan

Screens displaying the logos of OpenAI and ChatGPT are seen in
Toulouse, southwestern France, Jan. 23, 2023. (AFP Photo)
Screens displaying the logos of OpenAI and ChatGPT are seen in Toulouse, southwestern France, Jan. 23, 2023. (AFP Photo)
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ChatGPT Founder Considers Expansion into Japan

Screens displaying the logos of OpenAI and ChatGPT are seen in
Toulouse, southwestern France, Jan. 23, 2023. (AFP Photo)
Screens displaying the logos of OpenAI and ChatGPT are seen in Toulouse, southwestern France, Jan. 23, 2023. (AFP Photo)

The developer of ChatGPT said Monday that his company plans to open an office in Japan amid growing concerns about the chatbot's unauthorized collection of personal data and impact on learning environments.

According to the Japanese news Agency, Kyodo, Sam Altman, chief executive of US-based OpenAI, met Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, as the risks of artificial intelligence are expected to be discussed at the Group of Seven (G-7) ministerial gathering on digital issues, set to be held in Japan, in late April.

Altman told reporters that he explained to Kishida, head of the G-7 summit planned in Hiroshima this May, about the pros and cons of ChatGPT, noting that the prime minister showed interest in the AI technology.

The talks between Kishida and Altman came as many countries have enhanced regulations on the use of ChatGPT over suspicions that OpenAI illegally collects vast amounts of personal data from its users, and violates privacy.

Altman said he is ready to exchange views with policymakers across the globe on the AI technology and his firm's ChatGPT.

On Monday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Japan will explore using the chatbot technology to alleviate administrative burdens on government officials, but the move could only be realized if concerns about confidential information and personal data leaks were addressed.



Huawei Eyes Greater Role in Brazil Data Center Market

Huawei logo is seen during Munich Auto Show, IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, Germany, September 8, 2021. (Reuters)
Huawei logo is seen during Munich Auto Show, IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, Germany, September 8, 2021. (Reuters)
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Huawei Eyes Greater Role in Brazil Data Center Market

Huawei logo is seen during Munich Auto Show, IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, Germany, September 8, 2021. (Reuters)
Huawei logo is seen during Munich Auto Show, IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, Germany, September 8, 2021. (Reuters)

Chinese tech giant Huawei is interested in strengthening and improving its capacity as a supplier of data center solutions, it said in a statement to Reuters on Thursday, clarifying that it did not intend to invest directly in data centers.

Reuters had reported on Wednesday that Huawei was interested in Brazil's data center market but was waiting on the government to roll out a tax-break plan.

"We want the government to implement these incentives, which are good for the country, and the time has to be now," Atilio Rulli, Huawei vice president of public relations for Latin America and the Caribbean, told Reuters.

The government's plan to dole out tax breaks for tech investments in Brazil is set to be sent to Congress soon, a finance ministry adviser said last month.

Latin America's largest economy is looking to establish a foothold in the fast-growing data center industry, pulling from its ample renewable energy.

The country is already courting major investments from firms such as ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, Reuters has reported.

Huawei could provide connectivity, storage and energy for data centers, Rulli said, speaking on the sidelines of an event hosted by state development bank BNDES.

"Huawei continues to follow the incentive policy being conducted by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, and when in force, will continue to contribute reliable, scalable and sustainable solutions to accelerate the digital transformation in Brazil and Latin America," Huawei said in the statement on Thursday.