Former Chancellor George Osborne is joining artificial intelligence (AI) giant OpenAI.
He will lead the OpenAI for Countries program, which aims to help governments improve their artificial intelligence capabilities.
Announcing his new role in London, Osborne said he was honored to join the company.
“I recently asked myself a question: what is the most interesting and promising company in the world right now? I believe the answer is OpenAI,” he said on X.
The announcement follows news of government-level talks between the UK and US over a technology deal that included wider collaboration on artificial intelligence. faltered.
OpenAI's global communications director Chris Lehane said Osborne's decision to join the company reflects “a shared belief that AI is becoming critical infrastructure – and early decisions about how it is built, managed and deployed will shape economics and geopolitics for years to come.”
OpenAI for Countries is designed to work with governments “to ensure that global artificial intelligence systems are built on democratic values,” Mr. Lehane wrote on LinkedIn. The program is currently active in more than 50 countries.
He said Osborne would work with governments to help develop AI infrastructure, improve AI literacy and use AI to improve government services.
“In his new role, George will help expand existing partnerships and build new ones,” added Mr. Lehane.
Osborne, who co-hosts the podcast and is also chairman of the British Museum, said he joined the firm after conversations with OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and chief operating officer Brad Lightcap.
He said the pair are “exceptionally impressive leaders and that they care deeply about their mission to ensure AI capabilities are developed responsibly and the benefits are felt by all.”
Osborne added: “This is exactly what the OpenAI for Countries initiative aims to achieve, helping societies around the world share the opportunities this powerful technology provides.”
Osborne said he was leaving his current role at investment bank Evercore, which was a “huge challenge” for him.
He was also previously editor of the Evening Standard newspaper from 2017 to 2020.
Osborne's new job was first reported by the Financial Times.
The announcement comes as Downing Street insists it remains in active talks with the US government over a major technology deal.
The deal, unveiled in September, included a planned £31 billion of spending from tech giants including Nvidia and Google.
However, there were reports that “broader differences” between the US and UK had stalled the talks.
Osborne's appointment also comes amid a boom in artificial intelligence investment. growing concern about a potential AI market bubble.
Earlier this month the Bank of England warned of a possible “sharp correction” In the value of big tech companies, additional growth in the artificial intelligence sector will be fueled by trillions of dollars of debt over the next five years.
