OpenAI struck a new deal with the UK government to boost AI security research and explore big investments in UK AI infrastructure, including data centres and AI Growth Zones. This move aims to create jobs and revitalize communities with fresh tech growth.
The partnership, signed by UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, will push expanding OpenAI’s London office and beef up research and engineering efforts there. The UK government wants to use AI to improve taxpayer-funded services like education, defence, and justice.
OpenAI will also share more technical info with the UK AI Security Institute to sharpen understanding of AI risks and capabilities. The goal? Keep the UK a world-leading AI hub with democratic values at its core. 
The plan includes backing AI Growth Zones across the UK, including Scotland and Wales, supported by £2 billion from the UK Spending Review. These zones are expected to attract billions more in investment and plug into the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.
The UK is investing up to £500 million into sovereign AI efforts, partnering with companies like OpenAI to remain competitive in frontier AI.
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.
Sam Altman added:
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.
OpenAI’s tech already powers tools like Whitehall’s AI assistant Humphrey, which cuts admin time, and Consult, which speeds up policy-making by sorting public responses fast.
This deal is about more than just research — OpenAI may build AI R&D infrastructure focused on shared UK strategic priorities, venturing deeper into sovereign AI development.
