A previously undisclosed conversation about a £2 billion deal to provide all Britons with ChatGPT Plus reveals the high-stakes nature of the UK’s artificial intelligence strategy. The discussion between UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and OpenAI chief Sam Altman shows the government is willing to consider radical ideas to secure a leading position in the global AI race.
The proposal, while ultimately dismissed as too costly, fits into a broader pattern of assertive government action in the tech sphere. Kyle has been a vocal proponent of AI, using it himself and advocating for its adoption across British businesses. He has framed AI dominance as crucial for future geopolitical influence, comparing its importance to a seat on a future UN security council.
This strategic thinking explains why the UK is actively courting major AI labs. The government has already secured investment deals with Google and Anthropic, and the ongoing talks with OpenAI are part of this comprehensive effort to attract talent, capital, and infrastructure to the country.
The story of the scrapped deal is therefore less about a failed policy and more about the mindset driving UK tech policy. It demonstrates an ambition to think big and move quickly, even if it means exploring options that lie at the very edge of financial and political feasibility.