US AI giant OpenAI has announced plans to establish London as its largest research hub outside of its home city of San Francisco.
OpenAI has been working extensively in the British tech and AI ecosystem. The company’s first international office was established in London in 2023, it has launched a UK-based accelerator programme in partnership with Booking.com, it has worked closely with numerous government departments on AI integration and infrastructure and Sam Altman himself has applauded the contributions of Britons to artificial intelligence.
Further deepening its ties with the UK capital, OpenAI is doubling down on its London presence, which is already considered a critical component to its global operations by the company.
OpenAI said that in committing to establish London as a major hub, researchers based in the city will “own key components of OpenAI’s frontier model development” to ensure quality, reliability, alignment and safety of its AI systems.
“We are excited to establish London as a major research hub for OpenAI, building on the leading work our London team is already doing to support our latest breakthroughs,” said OpenAI’s chief research officer Mark Chen.
“The UK brings together world class talent and leading scientific institutions and universities, making it an ideal place to deliver the important research which will ensure our AI is safe, useful and benefits everyone.”
London has been among the top cities globally for AI development. As well as being home to Google’s DeepMind operations, a number of domestically-owned AI groups have been receiving huge investments and valuations, including ElevenLabs, Wayve and Synthesia.
“London is a global hub for AI innovation and investment, and I am delighted that OpenAI is anchoring its major new research hub here, as we help shape the capital for the next technological wave,” commented Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
“London is home to world-class talent and renowned institutions and I am committed to ensuring our capital benefits from the huge potential of AI, ensuring that no Londoners are left behind, and building a fairer, more prosperous city for everyone.”
The move from OpenAI could suggest that even deeper ties are forming between the American tech giant and the British government.
“OpenAI naming London as its largest global research hub outside the US, is a huge vote of confidence in the UK’s world-leading position at the cutting edge of AI research. It also reaffirms the UK’s global leadership as the place to pursue AI innovation that is both safe and transformative,” said UK Tech Secretary Liz Kendall.
“AI is already offering us better ways to treat disease, tailored support in classrooms, and new ways of harnessing clean affordable energy. We are determined to make sure that the people and places that have previously been left behind benefit first and most as this technology develops, and that the AI revolution helps build a Britain that’s healthier, wealthier and fairer.”
