The UK technology secretary is said to have investigated a multibillion-pound plan with OpenAI head Sam Altman that would have made premium ChatGPT accessible to every UK citizen. The proposal was never pursued, but it illustrates the increasing proximity between the government and one of Silicon Valley’s most influential AI firms.
Billion-Pound Dream That Never Took Flight
According to insiders, Altman and Peter Kyle, the UK’s technology secretary, met in San Francisco earlier this year to discuss possible collaborations. Among the ideas floated was a deal to give the entire UK population access to ChatGPT Plus, the paid version of OpenAI’s chatbot.
The bid, however, had a staggering cost possibly as much as £2 billion. People close to the negotiations said Kyle never viewed the proposal as a genuine choice, but the discussion highlighted the minister’s wholehearted enthusiasm for AI.
At present, OpenAI has both a free and paid version of ChatGPT, which costs $20 per month for the subscription model. The subscribers have faster response time and early access to new features, which makes it an upgrade many frequent users desire.
From Private Dinners to Public Partnerships
Transparency data reveals that Kyle had dinners with Altman in March and April. By July, the two had entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) geared towards integrating AI in UK public services. The non-binding MoU can grant OpenAI access to some government data, paving the way for AI use in education, healthcare, justice, defence, and security.
Kyle has also been open about using ChatGPT personally. In the early part of this year, he confessed to asking the chatbot for advice on everything from Britain’s slow AI adoption levels to the podcasts he should be a guest on. “ChatGPT is fantastically good,” Kyle said to PoliticsHome, calling it an educational tutor that can break down difficult issues.
The UK has emerged as one of OpenAI’s top five markets for paid subscriptions. An OpenAI spokesperson highlighted this popularity, saying: “Millions of Brits are already using ChatGPT every day for free. Our shared goal with the government is to democratise access to AI so its benefits can spread more widely.”
Global AI Deals and Local Concerns
OpenAI’s talks with Britain are not unique. The company has already struck a deal with the United Arab Emirates to make ChatGPT widely available across sectors including education, healthcare, and transport. Meanwhile, the UK government has been eager to secure AI investments from American firms, having also reached agreements with Google and Anthropic earlier this year.
Kyle has contended that AI will have a determining influence on future global power balances over the next few decades. He likened future significance of AI to nuclear energy in the 20th century, forecasting that technological influence would decide who leads the tables of international decision-making.
But the close ties between the government and the big tech have also ruffled feathers. Elton John and Tom Stoppard are among creatives concerned about proposed changes to copyright that would enable AI companies to train on copyrighted material unless artists actively opt out. Industry lobby groups have also protested that the government approach is biased towards larger US companies, marginalizing smaller UK innovators.
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Walking a Tightrope Between Innovation and Oversight
The UK’s science and technology ministry has since then confirmed that no official proposal was brought forward to grant countrywide ChatGPT Plus access. The government denied accusations of undue OpenAI influence, maintaining the UK is in discussion with a variety of top AI companies to balance innovation with security and public interest.
Generative AI software such as ChatGPT is still coming under fire for everything from spreading disinformation to being biased in their responses to copyright controversies. While ministers are hailing the power of AI, the argument about how far and how quickly Britain should go is still ongoing.
For now, offering every Brit premium chatbot subscription might be just that a grand but improbable thought exercise. One thing is certain, though: the battle to take the lead in AI is already underway, and Britain is determined to be close to the front.
