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OpenAI chooses Madrid to open its first office in Spain
Madrid will add another major name to its tech scene. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, will open its first office in Spain in the capital during the second half of 2026, a move that strengthens the city's role in the European race for artificial intelligence.
The decision comes at a time of strong growth in the use of AI in Spain. According to the company, the country is already among its five main European markets by number of weekly active users, with ChatGPT use increasing by more than 40% year on year.
The new office seeks to bring OpenAI closer to companies, developers, universities, public institutions and professional users who are already incorporating artificial intelligence tools into their daily work. The company wants to support that shift from experimentation towards deeper uses within organisations.
OpenAI plans to hire local talent for client-facing, technical and public-policy roles. The exact location of the headquarters and the team's initial size have not yet been specified, but the announcement already puts Madrid in a more visible position within the company's European rollout.
The impact may be felt especially in the business and academic ecosystem. Major institutions such as BBVA and Santander already work with OpenAI solutions, while universities and business schools are exploring new ways to integrate AI into teaching, research and internal processes.
For Madrid, the arrival of an OpenAI office does not only mean more technology jobs. It may also lead to more professional gatherings, collaboration with start-ups, activity in innovation spaces and a greater connection between local companies and one of the sector's most influential players.
The city has spent years trying to establish itself as a digital hub for southern Europe, with universities, research centres, large companies, consultancies, funds, start-ups and co-working spaces spread across neighbourhoods such as Chamartín, Chamberí, Arganzuela and Salamanca.
The challenge now will be to ensure that this arrival does not remain a corporate announcement. For Madrid, the opportunity lies in turning OpenAI's presence into more training, more useful projects and the adoption of artificial intelligence that reaches companies, institutions and professionals without widening the gap between those who know how to use it and those left out.