OpenAI just inked a deal to boost the UK public sector with AI. The UK government and OpenAI will use artificial intelligence to improve productivity across education, defence, security, and justice.
The deal could give OpenAI access to sensitive government data. The UK’s science department signed the memorandum of understanding, aiming to "improve understanding of capabilities and security risks, and to mitigate those risks."
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said AI will "drive change" and "economic growth" in the UK. 
The MoU also talks about an “information sharing programme” between the UK and OpenAI, plus developing safeguards to protect the public and safeguard democratic values.
Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, claimed this plan will "deliver prosperity for all."
"AI is a core technology for nation building that will transform economies and deliver growth," he said.
This move is part of the UK government’s push to revive its sluggish economy, which grew only 0.1% to 0.2% from April to June.
The UK is also cozying up to major US AI players. It struck similar deals with Google and Anthropic earlier this year. Officials say this latest deal could mean “world-changing AI tech is developed in the UK, driving discoveries that will deliver growth.”
Generative AI like ChatGPT creates text, images, videos, and music from user prompts. But it faces criticism — from musicians upset about unlicensed use of their work to broader concerns over copyright and data permission.
And it’s no stranger to scrutiny over spreading false info or giving bad advice.
The UK’s full embrace of AI is sparking pushback from artists and campaigners worried about these issues. The government, though, is moving fast to integrate AI into key public systems anyway.
