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<\/p>\nOpenAI<\/a> has opened its first Australian office in Sydney during an event attended by some of the nation\u2019s top business leaders, policymakers and members of the technology community.<\/p>\n The office will house OpenAI\u2019s dedicated Australian team, which will initially focus on helping local customers, partners and users take advantage of ChatGPT and other OpenAI technologies.<\/p>\n Current Australian customers include the\u00a0Commonwealth Bank<\/a>, which is using OpenAI to strengthen scam and fraud protection. Coles<\/a> has deployed GPT-5 powered tools to its corporate teams to speed up research, reduce admin and fuel innovation, while La Trobe University<\/a> plans to roll out ChatGPT Edu at scale to staff and students by 2027.\u00a0Other early adopter Australian customers include Wesfarmers<\/a>, Virgin Australia<\/a>, Fortescue<\/a> and REA Group<\/a>.<\/p>\n During a launch event for the new office at the Museum of Contemporary Art, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the launch is a vote of confidence in the state.<\/p>\n \u201cSydney is Australia\u2019s digital capital, backed by world-class talent and strong government investment \u2014\u00a0and OpenAI\u2019s arrival here takes that even further,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon added that having a dedicated Australian team demonstrates the company\u2019s long-term commitment and investment in the country.<\/p>\n \u201cAustralia is well-placed to lead the world in AI. It has a history of early technology adoption, a world-class developer community, and a clear ambition to lift productivity,\u201d he said. \u201cBy opening our first office in Sydney, we are investing in local talent and working directly with Australian businesses, government and the tech community to turn that potential into real economic and societal gains.\u201d<\/p>\n OpenAI is also rolling out its startup program in Australia in partnership with local venture capitalist companies. Under the program, startups will be offered API credits and additional mentoring opportunities.<\/p>\n