The UK government has entered into a new partnership with OpenAI, the American artificial intelligence firm behind ChatGPT, in a move officials say could help modernise and streamline public services.
Announced by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on Tuesday, the agreement outlines plans to explore how OpenAI’s tools can be used to support sectors such as education, defence, justice, and national security. The non-binding agreement sets out a shared intention to expand the use of AI across the public sector while establishing safeguards to protect citizens’ rights and uphold democratic values.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle described the initiative as central to the government’s wider ambitions. “AI will be fundamental in driving change in public services and economic growth,” he said.
The partnership may allow OpenAI access to government data under an “information-sharing programme” and will also involve collaboration on investment in AI infrastructure, including data centres. OpenAI, which currently employs more than 100 staff in its London office, has also committed to expanding its presence in the UK.
While the agreement is not legally binding, it reflects a growing appetite within the new Labour administration to embrace AI as a tool for economic and administrative reform. The announcement follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s January unveiling of the “AI Opportunities Action Plan,” a roadmap to harness artificial intelligence for boosting productivity and innovation across the UK economy.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman welcomed the deal, calling AI “a core technology for nation building.” He added: “This partnership has the potential to deliver prosperity for all.”
The UK’s embrace of AI, however, has drawn criticism from some quarters. Musicians and digital rights campaigners have previously raised concerns about the unlicensed use of creative works to train generative AI models, which can produce text, images, music, and video based on user prompts. Critics have also flagged the potential for misinformation, data misuse, and copyright infringement.
The UK already uses OpenAI’s models in a pilot programme known as “Humphrey,” designed to enhance productivity within the civil service.
In addition to its deal with OpenAI, the UK has signed similar agreements with US tech firms Google and Anthropic, signalling its intention to become a leading global hub for AI development.
Despite the optimism, industry leaders have called for broader support beyond big tech players. Tim Flagg, COO of UKAI, said earlier this year that government plans should better reflect the contributions of British AI firms and not solely focus on international giants.
The government says its latest deal with OpenAI could pave the way for “world-changing” technological advances developed on British soil.
