OpenAI and UK sign deal to use AI in public services

OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, has signed an agreement with the UK government to help improve public services using artificial intelligence. This partnership could allow OpenAI to access government data and use its technology in areas like education, defense, security, and the justice system. The UK’s Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said that AI will play a key role in changing how the country works and will help the economy grow.

The agreement is not a strict contract but more of a plan that shows what both sides want to achieve together. It mentions that the UK and OpenAI might set up a program to share information and will work on rules to keep people safe and protect democracy. They also plan to invest in more AI infrastructure, which means building or expanding data centers to handle all the information AI needs. OpenAI will also grow its London office, which already has over 100 employees. The company’s CEO, Sam Altman, said that this partnership could help bring prosperity to everyone.

However, not everyone is happy about the deal. Some digital privacy groups think the government is being too trusting of big tech companies and that the agreement is too vague. They worry that giving OpenAI access to lots of public data could help the company make even better AI, but might not protect people’s privacy enough. Some critics say the government is letting big tech companies have too much control over important information. The UK government has already made similar deals with other AI companies like Google and Anthropic, and it is using OpenAI’s technology in some government offices to help workers be more productive. While AI can do amazing things like write stories, create images, and make music, there are concerns about copyright and whether the technology always gives the right answers. The government says it will keep working to make sure AI is used in a safe and fair way, but the debate about privacy and control continues.