The United Kingdom and OpenAI reportedly discussed a multibillion-pound plan to provide nationwide access to ChatGPT Plus, according to The Guardian. The proposal was raised during meetings between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle earlier this year.
A £2B nationwide proposal
The idea considered giving every UK citizen premium access to ChatGPT Plus, with early estimates placing the cost at up to £2 billion. However, insiders noted the proposal was never formally advanced, as Kyle reportedly viewed it as financially unrealistic.
Memorandum with OpenAI
While the nationwide subscription plan did not move forward, the UK government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OpenAI in July 2025. The agreement focuses on exploring AI applications in public services such as education, justice, healthcare, and defense.
Among the tools being tested are:
- Humphrey, an AI assistant designed to help civil servants with administrative tasks.
- Consult, a system to analyze public feedback on policy proposals.
AI infrastructure and safety
The government is also working on AI Growth Zones to attract investment, exploring local data centers, and collaborating with the UK AI Safety Institute to ensure responsible and secure deployment of AI technologies.
What it means
The talks highlight how ChatGPT Plus and similar AI tools are now being considered at the highest levels of government strategy. While the national access plan was shelved, the MoU signals ongoing collaboration between the UK and OpenAI on public sector modernization and AI governance.
Will other countries attempt similar nationwide AI access deals in the near future?
Sources: The Guardian, ITPro, Windows Central
