The UK government has had discussions with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman about a potential multibillion-pound deal to provide every UK resident with premium access to ChatGPT.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle met with Altman to discuss opportunities for collaboration between OpenAI and the UK.
Although Kyle reportedly never took the idea seriously due to the estimated £2 billion cost, the talks demonstrate the government’s enthusiasm for artificial intelligence.
OpenAI offers both free and subscription-based versions of ChatGPT, with the paid version, ChatGPT Plus, costing $20 per month. ChatGPT Plus provides users with faster response times and priority access to new features. The UK is one of OpenAI’s top five markets for paid ChatGPT subscriptions.
Secretary Kyle has been vocal about the potential benefits of AI, stating that it can be a major factor in determining the most powerful countries in a hypothetical new UN security council in the future.
“I want us to be at the very forefront of [AI] because those countries will get to shape how it goes, how it is used and deployed,” Kyle said.
The UK government has already signed a non-binding agreement with OpenAI to explore AI integration within public services, including education, defense, security, and the justice system.
However, concerns have been raised about the accuracy of chatbot responses and implications for privacy and copyright.
Proposed changes to copyright law have sparked criticism from artists such as Elton John and Tom Stoppard, who argue that the changes would allow AI companies to train their models using copyrighted work without permission.
UKAI, a trade body representing the UK’s artificial intelligence industry, has also expressed concerns that the government’s approach is too narrowly focused on big tech at the expense of smaller players.
Despite these concerns, the UK government remains committed to exploring the potential benefits of AI. An OpenAI spokesperson stated, “Millions of Brits are already using ChatGPT every day for free. Our shared goal is to democratise access to AI.
The more people who can use it, the more widely its benefits will spread.” The company has also agreed on a deal with the United Arab Emirates to enable ChatGPT nationwide and use the technology in public sectors, including transport, healthcare, and education.