UK government yet to trial OpenAI tech months after signing partnership
TL;DR
The UK government signed a memorandum of understanding with OpenAI eight months ago, but has not yet run any trials with the firm's technology.
Key Points
- A Freedom of Information request found no evidence of testing or pilots involving OpenAI tools in public services.
- Ministers had publicly praised the partnership as central to AI-led public sector reform.
- OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, was described as a partner to help 'address society's greatest challenges'.
Nauti's Take
Eight months, zero trials — that is not a ramp-up period, that is inertia. When governments treat AI partnerships primarily as press releases, they undermine both their own credibility and the broader goal of meaningful public-sector AI adoption.
OpenAI wins either way: its name sits next to 'government' and 'societal challenges' with no delivery obligation attached. Real reform looks different from this.
Sources