Sam Altman, one of the world's largest artificial intelligence companies, has signed a contract with the UK government to explore the deployment of advanced AI models in areas such as judiciary, safety and education.
The Openai CEO, valued at $300 million (£2200 billion), offers a large-scale ChatGPT suite of language models, and on Monday agreed to an understanding of the memorandum with science and technology secretary Peter Kyle.
This follows an equally widespread deal between the UK government and Openai's rival, Google, a high-tech American company.
The latest agreement states that Openai and the government will work together to identify opportunities on how AI models can be deployed across governments, such as “to help civil servants work more efficiently,” and “supporting citizens to navigate public services more effectively.”
They said they would work together to develop AI solutions “in the UK's most challenging issues, including areas such as justice, defense and security, education technology,” and develop a partnership that “expands public engagement with AI technology.”
Altman previously predicted that AI Laboratories would reach a level of performance this year known as artificial general information. This corresponds to human-level intelligence in a variety of tasks.
At the same time, the British masses are divided into the risks and rewards of rapidly developing technologies. A survey by IPSOS found that 31% were mostly excited about the possibility, but somewhat worried about the risks. Another 30% are mostly concerned about risk, but are somewhat excited about the possibility.
Kyle said: “AI is fundamental in driving change that we have to see across the nation. It's about fixing the NHS, breaking down barriers to opportunity, or fostering economic growth.”
He said this could not be achieved without a company like Openai,” adding that the partnership would “give the UK an agency about how this world-changing technology will advance.”
Altman said: “The UK has a strong legacy of scientific leadership, and its government was one of the first to recognize the possibilities of AI through its AI Opportunity Action Plan. Now it's time to achieve the goals of the plan by turning its ambition to action and bringing prosperity to everyone.”
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Openai is to expand its business in the UK beyond the 100+ staff we currently have.
As part of a Google deal announced earlier this month, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology said Google Deepmind, the AI division of high-tech companies led by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Demis Hassavis, will “work with government technology experts to support the deployment and spread of new emerging technologies” and promote the effectiveness of scientifically expanding the science of science.
Openai already offers technology to power AI chatbots that allow small businesses to get advice and support easier from government web pages. The technology supports some of Humphrey's tools, Whitehall AI assistant, which aims to speed up civil servants.
