A new deal between OpenAI and the UK government could see the innovative AI technology used for a variety of public services, including education, defense, and security.
In 2025, AI is in everything. From business software to social media platforms, the groundbreaking technology is being added to pretty much every service under the sun.
Now, public services in the UK are likely going to get the treatment as well, with OpenAI penning a deal with the British government to bring the tech to the people of the United Kingdom.
OpenAI and UK Government Sign Deal
Announced in a Memorandum of Understanding, the UK government and OpenAI have signed a deal that would see the two collaborating on bringing AI technology into the infrastructure of Great Britain.
More specifically, the deal paves the way for a serious partnership between the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the world’s most well-known AI company, which would include everything from information sharing to infrastructure building in the UK.
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“AI has the potential to be the most transformative technology of our time—capable of changing how people live, learn, work, and access public services. In the hands of UK citizens, AI will be a powerful tool to drive productivity, accelerate discovery, and create opportunity.” – announcement from the DSIT
What Will AI Be Used for in the UK?
Let’s be honest, “public services” is a pretty vague term, particularly when it comes to using AI to improve them. So, what does the deal say the technology will actually be used for to improve life in the UK?
“This collaboration may include cross-departmental initiatives designed to develop sovereign solutions to the UK’s hardest problems, including in areas such as justice, defense and security, and education technology.” – announcement from DSIT
Suffice to say, OpenAI won’t be starting small for its roll-out of AI in the UK, with the government handing over the reins of some seriously vital services to a technology that has proven to be less than reliable when it comes to getting everything right.
The Risks of AI Usage
It’s no secret that AI errors have become part of the technology’s whole existence. While tech leaders keep promising improvements, inaccuracies, hallucinations, and even impersonations have plagued AI since its inception. On top of that, the threat of AI and its unfettered development present existential threats to humans, according to the godfather of AI himself.
Luckily, those risk are on the mind of OpenAI and the UK government in regard to this partnership.
“OpenAI and the UK government will collaborate to improve understanding of capabilities and security risks, and to mitigate those risks.” – announcement from DSIT
Granted, addressing the risks of AI came at the very end of the announcement from DSIT, which perhaps highlights how much of a priority mitigating them is compared to alleviating the financial burdens experienced by the UK and its government.
