UK Technology Secretary Dismisses £2 Billion ChatGPT Plus Proposal for All Citizens

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman proposed a deal to provide ChatGPT Plus to every resident in the United Kingdom, an initiative estimated to cost £2 billion. This proposal was discussed during a meeting with UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, as reported by The Guardian. The discussions, which occurred earlier this year in San Francisco, were part of broader conversations between OpenAI and the UK government regarding potential collaborations in artificial intelligence.

The ambitious offer aimed to grant UK citizens access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium subscription tier of OpenAI's popular chatbot, which typically costs $20 per month and offers enhanced features like faster response times and early access to new functionalities. While a free version of ChatGPT is widely available, the proposed deal would have significantly expanded access to the more advanced capabilities for the entire population.

Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that Secretary Kyle did not seriously consider the proposal, primarily due to its substantial financial implications. Despite this, Kyle, a vocal advocate for artificial intelligence, later signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with OpenAI in July. This agreement aims to explore the integration of OpenAI's technology into UK public services, including areas such as education, defense, security, and the justice system.

An OpenAI spokesperson commented on the existing landscape in the UK, stating, "Millions of Brits are already using ChatGPT every day for free." The spokesperson added that a shared goal with the government is to "democratise access to AI" to ensure its benefits spread widely across society. The UK currently stands as one of OpenAI's top five markets for paid ChatGPT subscriptions, underscoring the country's significant engagement with the technology.

While the nationwide ChatGPT Plus deal did not progress, the discussions highlight the UK government's keen interest in leveraging AI and OpenAI's strategy to expand its global reach. OpenAI has engaged in similar discussions with other governments, including an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to enable nationwide ChatGPT access. The focus remains on strategic partnerships that align with government objectives for AI adoption and public service enhancement.