UK set for jobs boost as OpenAI to make London its biggest research hub outside US
OpenAI revealed today that it will transform its London presence into the company’s biggest research centre beyond American borders.
The ChatGPT creator pointed to Britain’s technology ecosystem as the perfect setting for developing new artificial intelligence systems.
Technology minister Liz Kendall welcomed the move warmly. “It also reaffirms the UK’s global leadership as the place to pursue AI innovation that is both safe and transformative,” she stated.
The expansion supports Britain’s ambitions to position itself as an AI superpower amid fierce global competition for investment from leading model developers.
OpenAI has yet to disclose specific investment figures or anticipated job creation numbers.
The announcement places OpenAI in direct rivalry with Google DeepMind for Britain’s brightest minds.
The London-headquartered AI lab, led by British researcher Demis Hassabis, maintains established partnerships with Oxford and Cambridge universities through sponsored professorships and collaborative research programmes.
Interest in AI careers has surged at leading institutions. Jonathan Black, director of Oxford University’s careers service, observed that recent fairs have been crowded with undergraduates seeking technical positions.
OpenAI is the parent company that owns and operates ChatGPT, one of the fastest-growing AI chatbots on the planet | REUTERS “The demand and supply is increasing on both sides, even within a year,” he said. “To have something like this turn up is a really positive sign.”
OpenAI’s chief research officer Mark Chen highlighted Britain’s combination of exceptional talent and respected scientific institutions as key factors in the decision.
The company first established its international presence in London back in 2023, with staff focused on software and infrastructure for AI model development.
Under the expanded arrangement, the London team will take ownership of specific elements in model development, particularly those concerning safety, reliability and performance evaluation.
The number of unemployed people per job vacancy is at a new post-pandemic high
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GB NEWSResearchers based in the capital will continue contributing to products such as Codex and GPT-5.2, the company confirmed. OpenAI’s European headquarters remain in Dublin.
The expansion could generate lasting benefits beyond initial recruitment, according to venture capital partner Tom Wilson of Seedcamp.
He suggested a flywheel effect may emerge as researchers hired early in their careers eventually establish their own laboratories in Britain.
OpenAI’s arrival coincides with a broader national effort to scale data centre capacity and power infrastructure
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GETTY“We’ve seen many examples over the years,” Mr Wilson noted.
“That’s where these kinds of announcements can have even more impact than the initial hires … the second-order effects can be great.”
OpenAI’s arrival coincides with a broader national effort to scale data centre capacity and power infrastructure. The push aims to satisfy the enormous computational demands of AI companies operating in the UK.
