AI firm discussed deal to give whole of UK premium access to ChatGPT

The boss of the firm behind ChatGPT and the UK technology secretary discussed a multibillion-pound deal to give the entire country premium access to the AI tool, the Guardian has learned.

- Eleni Courea Kiran Stacey

Sam Altman, a co-founder of OpenAI, talked to Peter Kyle about a potential agreement to give UK residents access to its advanced product.

According to two sources with direct knowledge of the meeting, the idea was floated as part of a broader discussion in San Francisco about opportunities for collaboration between OpenAI and the UK.

Those close to the discussion say Kyle never really took the idea seriously, not least because it could have cost as much as £2bn.

But the talks show the enthusiasm with which the technology secretary has embraced the artificial intelligence sector, despite concerns over the accuracy of some chatbot responses and implications for privacy and copyright.

OpenAI offers free and subscription versions of ChatGPT. The paid version, ChatGPT Plus, costs $20 (£15) a month and gives users faster response times and priority access to new features.

Kyle dined with Altman in March and April, according to transparency data released by the UK government.

In July, Kyle signed an agreement with OpenAI to use AI in the UK's public services. The non-binding deal could give OpenAI access to government data and lead to its software being used in education, defence, security and the justice system.