OpenAI Strikes Deal with UK Government to Boost Public Services
OpenAI and the UK government have announced a strategic partnership aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into public services and expanding AI infrastructure across the country. The agreement outlines plans to explore using AI in sectors like education, defence, security, and justice, with a goal of making taxpayer-funded services more efficient. The two sides also aim to invest in infrastructure such as data centres and expand OpenAI’s presence in the UK, including the growth of its London office.
Signed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, the deal is part of the UK’s broader AI Opportunities Action Plan. Kyle said the partnership could help "fix the NHS, break down barriers to opportunity or drive economic growth," while Altman called AI “a core technology for nation building” that would “deliver prosperity for all.” OpenAI tools are already being used in Whitehall’s AI assistant “Humphrey” and the policy consultation tool “Consult,” which saves officials weeks of manual work.
Despite government enthusiasm, not everyone is convinced. Privacy advocates, including digital rights group Foxglove, have criticized the deal as vague and overly trusting of big tech. Concerns have been raised about public data being used to train AI systems without clear safeguards. Martha Dark of Foxglove argued that the deal risks putting "the big tech fox in charge of the henhouse."
Still, the partnership could lead to billions in investment and stronger sovereign AI capabilities. The UK has made clear it wants to be a leader in frontier AI and is now working closely with tech giants like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic to make that happen.
