OpenAI and the UK government today signed a new strategic partnership in London, formalizing collaborative efforts to expand AI security research, explore infrastructure investment, and integrate AI into public services, building on OpenAI’s establishment of its first international office in the UK two years ago.
The strategic partnership between OpenAI and the UK government outlines plans for the AI laboratory to investigate investing in the UK’s AI infrastructure, including data centers, and regional growth zones. This initiative aims to stimulate economic development through job creation and growth within communities. A key component of the partnership involves OpenAI sharing technical information with the UK AI Security Institute. This information exchange is designed to enhance the government’s understanding of AI capabilities and potential security risks. The collaboration also supports the government’s objective to leverage artificial intelligence for the transformation of taxpayer-funded public services.
OpenAI has confirmed its intention to expand its presence in the United Kingdom. This expansion includes increasing the size of its London office and augmenting its research and engineering teams to fulfill the commitments of the partnership agreement. The London office, established two years ago as the company’s first international location, currently houses research and engineering teams that contribute to the development of frontier AI models. This office also provides support to UK businesses, developers, and startups.
The partnership specifically intends to explore the deployment of AI in various sectors, including justice, defense, security, and education technology. This deployment will adhere to established UK standards and guidelines, demonstrating the potential for AI to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public services funded by taxpayers.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, outlines the intent to build upon the UK’s existing strengths in science, innovation, and talent. The document states a collective goal to “maintain a world-leading UK AI ecosystem rooted in democratic values.”
Under the terms of this partnership, OpenAI will also investigate potential avenues for implementing the infrastructure priorities detailed in the AI Opportunities Action Plan. This aspect recognizes the importance of UK sovereign capability in realizing the economic benefits associated with AI. This development could lead to the creation of advanced AI technologies within the UK, fostering discoveries that contribute to economic growth.
The partnership expands to include the possibility of OpenAI investing in and supporting AI Growth Zones. These zones were initially announced in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which subsequently received £2 billion in funding through the Spending Review. AI Growth Zones are projected to become centers for AI infrastructure, attracting substantial investments. The UK government previously confirmed that Scotland and Wales would both host AI Growth Zones, as outlined in its Compute Strategy.
This initiative aligns with the UK’s investment of up to £500 million in sovereign AI, a fund designated for supporting national AI champions and fostering partnerships with global companies such as OpenAI. The partnership with OpenAI represents a crucial element of the UK’s mission to remain an active participant in the development of frontier AI and to ensure that UK citizens benefit from the economic growth generated by cutting-edge models.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle stated, “AI will be fundamental in driving the change we need to see across the country – whether that’s in fixing the NHS, breaking down barriers to opportunity or driving economic growth. That’s why we need to make sure Britain is front and centre when it comes to developing and deploying AI, so we can make sure it works for us.” Kyle further elaborated, “This can’t be achieved without companies like OpenAI, who are driving this revolution forward internationally. This partnership will see more of their work taking place in the UK, creating high-paid tech jobs, driving investment in infrastructure, and crucially giving our country agency over how this world-changing technology moves forward.”
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman commented, “AI is a core technology for nation building that will transform economies and deliver growth. Britain has a strong legacy of scientific leadership and its government was one of the first to recognise the potential of AI through its AI Opportunities Action Plan.” Altman added, “Now, it’s time to deliver on the plan’s goals by turning ambition to action and delivering prosperity for all.” The AI laboratory may also collaborate with the government to identify how advanced AI models could enhance public services utilized by millions of individuals daily, thereby stimulating economic growth across the country.
OpenAI’s large language model, ChatGPT, already provides the underlying technology for multiple tools within ‘Humphrey’, Whitehall’s AI assistant. ‘Humphrey’ aims to increase efficiency within the civil service by automating administrative tasks. For instance, GPT-4o powers ‘Consult’, a specialized tool designed to expedite the policy-making process. ‘Consult’ automates the sorting of public responses to consultations, a task that typically requires weeks for officials to complete, enabling it to be performed in minutes while retaining experts for critical decision-making.
In addition to supporting the infrastructure plans outlined in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, OpenAI may also explore the development of state-of-the-art, AI-enabled research and development infrastructure in the UK. This R&D infrastructure would focus on areas of strategic interest shared with the UK government. The Memorandum of Understanding is voluntary, not legally binding, and does not affect any existing binding agreements or future procurement decisions.
