OpenAI selects London as largest research hub outside the US

OpenAI said it would make London its largest research hub outside the US but gave no timeline for this.

Mark Chen, OpenAI’s research chief, said the country’s mix of talent, leading universities, and respected scientific institutions gives London strategic importance.

The move supports Britain’s push to be an “AI superpower” and attract AI investment.

UK Technology Minister Liz Kendall called OpenAI’s expansion a “huge vote of confidence” and said it reaffirms the UK’s leadership in “safe and transformative” AI innovation.

The company, with over 30 employees in London, did not set out details on investment or job numbers.

OpenAI’s European headquarters is in Dublin, and its London office, opened in 2023 as its first international office, focuses on software and infrastructure for AI models.

🔗 Source: Reuters

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OpenAI’s London growth ties to the UK’s AI investment drive and a hiring race with Google DeepMind

The move fits Britain’s aim to become an AI superpower and draw more AI funding. UK technology minister liz kendall called it a huge vote of confidence and said it backs the UK’s lead in safe and transformative AI work.
Mark Chen, OpenAI’s research chief, said London matters because the UK combines strong talent with leading universities and respected scientific institutions.
The new hiring effort also puts OpenAI in a closer talent contest with Google DeepMind, which employs 2,000 people in the UK 1.
This push comes as AI-related inward investment into the UK topped billion in 2024 and was expected to create more than 6,500 jobs 2.

The move may tighten the talent market and keep AI work centered in London

OpenAI’s plan could raise the pressure in the AI hiring market. The Times reported it would try to recruit researchers from Google DeepMind 1.
That hiring pull could squeeze UK academia and smaller startups, since they may not match pay from large labs. OpenAI’s London announcement did not make this claim.
The shift adds to London’s weight in the sector, since London, the South East and the East of England make up about 75% of registered office locations for UK AI companies 2.
OpenAI did not share the investment size, job targets, or a timeline for making London its largest research hub outside the US. For that reason, this announcement cannot support claims about infrastructure strain or compute and energy limits 3.