As the UK government faces criticism over its relationship with Big Tech, it has been revealed that a multibillion-pound deal for a national ChatGPT Plus subscription was discussed with OpenAI. The talks between Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and CEO Sam Altman occurred against a backdrop of rising concerns over AI’s impact on copyright and privacy.
The potential £2 billion deal, which was ultimately deemed too expensive, highlights a potential conflict within government policy. On one hand, ministers are eager to embrace AI and attract investment from major tech firms. On the other, they are under fire from artists and creators over proposed copyright law changes that would allow AI models to be trained on their work without permission.
The conversation with OpenAI shows a clear government appetite for deep integration with AI leaders, reinforcing claims from creative industries that policymakers are growing too close to tech giants. This proximity is further evidenced by a non-binding agreement signed in July for OpenAI to explore AI applications within the UK’s public sector, potentially using government data.
While the government spokesperson stated they “don’t recognise these claims,” the disclosure of the meeting adds a new dimension to the debate over AI regulation. It raises questions about whether the push for technological advancement is coming at the expense of protecting intellectual property and addressing the ethical challenges posed by generative AI.