OpenAI announced the opening of its first German office in Munich, establishing a local team to support strong demand for OpenAI technologies. Germany has emerged as the highest number of ChatGPT users in Europe and ranks among OpenAI's top three global markets for paying subscribers.
Brad Lightcap, COO at OpenAI, stated: "As a country globally renowned for technical excellence and industrial innovation, it's fitting that Germany has emerged as a world leader in AI adoption. By opening our first German office here in Munich, we want to further strengthen this leadership and enable more people, businesses, and institutions across Germany to benefit from this transformative technology."
Germany represents a top-three market outside the United States for business customers, spanning large enterprises to Mittelstand companies using OpenAI tools to enhance productivity, innovation and creativity. The country also has the largest number of API developers building on OpenAI's platform outside the United States.
Large enterprises including Sparkassen Finanzgruppe, DKB and Zalando are enhancing employee productivity and personalising customer banking and retail experiences. Mittelstand businesses such as KOSTAL and Viessmann use OpenAI technologies to streamline workflows and enable faster, smarter employee decision-making.
Developers and startups including Parloa, Choco and Doinstruct build on OpenAI's API to power AI-driven businesses and create innovative solutions across customer service, supply chains and frontline workers. Leading universities including WHU and researchers at Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light use OpenAI AI to reimagine learning experiences and advance academic breakthroughs.
Artists like Mario Clement and Looping Lovers use OpenAI technology as creative partners, unlocking new creative possibilities. The Munich-based German team will support businesses, developers, partners and academic institutions nationwide while strengthening collaboration with Germany's federal and regional governments to ensure responsible AI benefit distribution and advance economic growth and competitiveness.
Dr. Fabian Mehring, Bavarian State Minister for Digital Affairs, welcomed the opening: "The vision of our state government is becoming reality: we are systematically developing Bavaria into the digital powerhouse of Europe. Welcoming OpenAI, the global star of the AI revolution, to our state capital is another milestone on Munich's path to becoming the German tech capital."
German organisations across sectors can access enhanced local support for OpenAI technology implementation, while benefitting from strengthened government collaboration, ensuring responsible AI deployment. The Munich office enables enterprises to leverage AI-driven productivity improvements with dedicated regional expertise supporting business transformation initiatives.
OpenAI's German market position as top-three globally for business customers demonstrates significant enterprise adoption potential across European markets. The Munich office establishment supports accelerated AI transformation for German businesses while strengthening OpenAI's competitive position in Europe's largest economy. Organisations can leverage enhanced local partnerships and government collaboration for compliant AI deployment strategies. The focus on Mittelstand businesses indicates OpenAI's commitment to supporting medium-sized enterprises alongside large corporations in AI adoption initiatives.