George Osborne Joins OpenAI as Former Chancellor
Former British Chancellor George Osborne has taken on a new challenge, joining artificial intelligence (AI) giant OpenAI to lead its ‘OpenAI for Countries’ programme. The role, based in London, will see him work with governments worldwide to bolster their capacity in AI.
Osborne announced his appointment, describing OpenAI as “the most exciting and promising company in the world right now.” He shared these sentiments on X, formerly Twitter. This move comes amidst stalled negotiations between the UK and the US regarding a tech deal aimed at enhancing cooperation in the AI sector.
According to Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Osborne’s joining the company signifies “a shared belief that AI is becoming critical infrastructure – and early decisions about how it’s built, governed, and deployed will shape economics and geopolitics for years to come.”
The ‘OpenAI for Countries’ programme is specifically designed to collaborate with governments to “ensure that global AI systems are built on democratic values,” Lehane explained in a LinkedIn post. The initiative has already engaged with over 50 countries.
Osborne’s responsibilities will include assisting governments in developing AI infrastructure, fostering AI literacy among their populations, and leveraging AI to improve public services. Lehane further stated, “In his new role, George will help to expand existing partnerships and build new ones.”
The former Chancellor, who also co-hosts a podcast and chairs the British Museum, stated he was convinced to join OpenAI after discussions with the company’s CEO, Sam Altman, and COO, Brad Lightcap. He praised them as “exceptionally impressive leaders” deeply committed to the responsible development and distribution of AI.
“That’s exactly what the OpenAI for Countries initiative intends to achieve, helping societies around the world share the opportunity this powerful technology brings,” Osborne added.
He acknowledged that leaving his position at investment bank Evercore was a difficult decision. The appointment was initially reported by the Financial Times.
Downing Street has affirmed continued dialogue with the US government regarding the tech deal, initially unveiled in September. The deal proposed £31 billion in investment from tech leaders such as Nvidia and Google. However, sources indicate that broader disagreements between the two nations have hampered progress.
Osborne’s arrival at OpenAI also coincides with a surge in AI investment, coupled with rising concerns about a potential market bubble. The Bank of England recently warned of a possible “sharp correction” in the valuation of major tech companies, anticipating that AI sector growth will rely heavily on trillions of dollars in debt over the next five years.
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