OpenAI Pushes Global AI Expansion with ‘OpenAI for Countries’ Initiative

OpenAI is stepping up efforts to encourage governments worldwide to build more data centers and promote the use of artificial intelligence in sectors such as education, healthcare, and disaster preparedness. The initiative, called OpenAI for Countries, aims to widen access to AI tools and reduce the gap between nations with established AI capabilities and those still developing digital infrastructure.

The company says the program is designed to help governments and organizations harness AI for tasks more complex than many users currently recognize. “Most countries are still operating far short of what today’s AI systems make possible,” OpenAI stated in a report shared with Reuters.

Launched last year, OpenAI for Countries appointed former British finance minister George Osborne to oversee the international effort in December. Osborne, alongside OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane, is meeting with government officials this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss the program and potential partnerships.

OpenAI’s initiative comes as the company strengthens its position at the forefront of the global AI boom. Valued most recently at $500 billion, OpenAI is reportedly exploring a public offering that could reach $1 trillion. The program currently includes agreements with eleven countries, each tailored to local needs.

Estonia has integrated OpenAI’s educational tool, ChatGPT Edu, into secondary schools nationwide, aiming to enhance digital learning. In Norway and the United Arab Emirates, OpenAI is collaborating with local partners to establish new data centers while serving as their first customer, highlighting the company’s dual focus on infrastructure and technology adoption.

On Wednesday, OpenAI executives said they hope to expand partnerships into areas such as disaster planning. In South Korea, the company is in discussions with the government’s water authority to create a real-time water-disaster warning and response system to address climate-driven challenges.

OpenAI also highlighted usage patterns among advanced users in its report. Those in the 95th percentile of activity, described as “power users,” engage OpenAI’s advanced reasoning tools seven times more frequently than average users. The report also noted significant differences within countries. In Singapore, for instance, users generate more than three times as many AI-assisted coding queries compared with the average, reflecting uneven adoption even in countries with broad access.

The company said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to demonstrate AI’s potential for societal impact while ensuring its technology reaches regions that might otherwise fall behind in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape. By expanding data infrastructure and promoting practical applications in governance, education, and disaster management, OpenAI aims to shape how governments and citizens interact with advanced AI systems worldwide.