Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers

Tech giant suggested providing all UK residents with its premium AI service but costs made officials wary.

The Guardian reported that OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman floated a proposal to give every UK resident access to ChatGPT Plus at a meeting with technology secretary Peter Kyle:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

At US$20 a month per user, the plan would have cost around £2 billion annually, and the government did not pursue it because of the price tag.

The meeting took place during a visit to San Francisco as part of discussions about AI collaboration:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

The report highlights growing interest in artificial‑intelligence partnerships but also concerns about costs and fairness.