The UK government has stated it does “not recognise claims” of a formal proposal for a nationwide ChatGPT Plus subscription, following revelations of high-level talks on the matter. Sources confirmed a deal, potentially costing £2 billion, was floated in a meeting between Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
The conversation, which took place in San Francisco, explored the feasibility of providing all UK residents with OpenAI’s premium AI service. However, the idea was reportedly dismissed by Kyle as impractical due to the massive expenditure it would require from the public purse. The Department for Science and Technology confirmed it had not taken the proposal forward or discussed it with other departments.
Despite the official denial of a formal plan, the disclosure of the discussion itself is significant. It highlights the proactive and ambitious nature of the government’s engagement with the AI industry, as well as the close access that major tech leaders like Sam Altman have to senior UK ministers. Kyle has met with Altman on multiple occasions this year.
This situation puts the government in a delicate position, balancing its pro-innovation stance with the need for fiscal responsibility and addressing public concerns about AI. The government’s official response appears aimed at downplaying the seriousness of the talks while continuing its broader collaboration with OpenAI on public service applications.