OpenAI and the UK government have signed a new agreement to work together on artificial intelligence. The deal was made official on Monday, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle present.
The agreement sets out plans to bring OpenAI’s tools into public services, such as education, healthcare and civil service work. It also looks at building AI infrastructure in Britain. Both sides agreed to share technical knowledge, train staff, and work on safety matters.
OpenAI already has a strong presence in the UK. It opened a London office in 2023, which now has more than 100 people. These teams have helped to build the latest models and tools that people and businesses use. OpenAI said it plans to grow its UK team further and will share more details about that later in the year.
Peter Kyle, said, “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.
“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.”
How Will This Affect Public Services?
Parts of the public service already use OpenAI’s tools… Whitehall staff work with an assistant called Humphrey, which helps to cut down on admin time. Another tool called Consult helps sort through thousands of public responses during policy work.
There is also a chatbot that small businesses can use to find information on government websites. This has helped many save time and avoid confusion when trying to understand business rules or apply for support.
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The government now wants to use AI in more areas. That could mean tools for public-facing tasks or help with decision-making behind the scenes. The aim is to free up time, speed up work, and improve how services run.
Sam Altman, said, “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.
“Now, it’s time to deliver on the plan’s goals by turning ambition to action and delivering prosperity for all.”
Where Does The Money Come From?
The AI Opportunities Action Plan, backed by £2 billion in the UK Spending Review, is the main source. This plan supports the use of AI in ways that help people and businesses. As part of the plan, new zones called AI Growth Zones will be built across the country. These zones are expected to attract investors and bring jobs.
Over 200 areas have shown interest in hosting these zones. The government confirmed that Scotland and Wales are both set to have AI Growth Zones. These zones are designed to support local economies and help train people in new technology.
The partnership with OpenAI means the government can bring in more tools and know-how. It also helps OpenAI grow its business in the UK, which supports more jobs in research and engineering.
