OpenAI announces the option to store data in the UK 

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has announced that OpenAI will allow UK businesses to store their data on British soil for the first time. 

The plan will allow businesses to store their data on UK-based servers operated by OpenAI, the developers of the popular AI program ChatGPT. 

“Our partnership with OpenAI places Britain firmly in the driving seat of the global tech revolution – leading the world in innovation and using technology to deliver fairness and opportunity for every corner of the United Kingdom,” said Lammy.  

The announcement was made at OpenAI’s Frontiers Conference, where Lammy outlined how AI could drive “public service reform” and “economic investment” in the UK.  

“The number of people using our products in the UK has increased fourfold in the past year,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. “It’s exciting to see them using AI to save time, increase productivity, and get more done. Civil servants are using ChatGPT to improve public services and established firms are reimagining operations. We’re proud to continue supporting the UK and the Government’s AI plan.” 

The UK government hopes that by allowing UK businesses to store their data on sovereign UK servers, concerns about data security and privacy will be resolved, resulting in an uptick of AI usage. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that AI could add up to £140bn per year to the UK’s economic output by 2030. 

The announcement also included a deal signed by the UK Government and OpenAI that will allow Ministry of Justice officials in England to utilise AI in their work. The agreement will give 2,500 employees access to ChatGPT Enterprise to increase efficiency in the Ministry.  

“We’re making sure we have the infrastructure we need to power AI here in Britain so we can transform our public services, drive growth and unlock new opportunities for every community in the country,” said Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. “This partnership with OpenAI is a step further in delivering that.” 

In recent months OpenAI has faced calls to implement a range of changes to their flagship product, ChatGPT. Concerns about safeguards for children, the potential for sexual content on the platform and its impact on schools and education have all been raised.