SAN FRANCISCO — In a significant move to expand its global footprint, OpenAI has officially opened its first office in continental Europe, located in Paris. The new office is set to foster closer collaboration with France’s innovative AI landscape, marking an exciting chapter in OpenAI’s international growth.

“France is a global hub for innovation, particularly in technology and AI,” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. “We’re thrilled to establish a presence here and work directly with French businesses, institutions, and developers to explore the transformative potential of AI.”

The Paris office underscores OpenAI’s commitment to serving the rapidly growing AI ecosystem in France, where companies, start-ups, and educational institutions are already leveraging OpenAI’s tools to tackle complex challenges and drive creativity and productivity. Notable collaborations include:

• Sanofi: In partnership with Formation Bio and OpenAI, Sanofi has launched Muse, an AI-powered tool designed to expedite patient recruitment for clinical trials, helping bring new treatments to patients faster.
• Simplon: This organization offers digital skills training to underserved communities and is the first European partner in OpenAI Academy, a program dedicated to democratizing access to AI.
• Mirakl: A global leader in platform software, Mirakl uses OpenAI’s AI tools to enhance marketplace growth and improve internal productivity.
• ESCP Business School: By using OpenAI’s technology, the school offers personalized learning experiences and reduces administrative workload for faculty, enabling them to focus on students.
• Ask Mona: This cultural organization is using AI to create engaging learning experiences for cultural institutions, enriching audiences’ interactions with knowledge.

Frédéric Bardeau, President and Co-Founder of Simplon, shared, “We are thrilled to partner with OpenAI to bring generative AI to underserved communities. This collaboration will help unlock the potential of multilingual and multimodal AI to create lasting impact in nonprofit sectors.”

The Paris office also aims to support the local developer community through initiatives like hackathons, further promoting AI adoption across various sectors in France. “We are excited about OpenAI’s presence here, which will undoubtedly empower the already dynamic AI ecosystem in France,” said Roxanne Varza, Director of STATION F, Paris’s renowned start-up campus.

Strengthening ties with the French government is a key aspect of OpenAI’s strategy. By opening the Paris office, OpenAI continues its commitment to responsible AI development. The company recently signed the EU AI Pact, aligning with its mission to deliver advanced technologies that are safe and beneficial for all.

Clara Chappaz, France’s Secretary of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, remarked, “The opening of OpenAI’s Paris office highlights the appeal of France’s talent and AI research capabilities, affirming our goal to position France as a leader in global AI innovation.”

OpenAI’s expansion into Paris marks a new chapter in the company’s ongoing commitment to bringing cutting-edge AI technologies to diverse regions while fostering collaborative innovation worldwide.