- OpenAI to provide UK data residency for businesses and public services starting Friday
- The partnership with the Ministry of Justice enhances privacy and resilience against cyber threats
What happened: OpenAI to offer UK data residency to enhance privacy and security
OpenAI is set to offer British businesses and government organisations the opportunity to store their data in the UK, beginning this Friday. This development comes as part of a partnership between OpenAI and the UK’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ), designed to improve the privacy and security of data, as well as to boost resilience against increasing cyber threats.
The move represents a significant step forward in OpenAI’s ongoing collaboration with the UK government, which started earlier this year when the two parties agreed to work together on enhancing public services through the use of AI. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy is expected to officially announce the UK data residency plan during his speech at the OpenAI Frontiers event on Thursday.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has previously revolutionised the tech industry with the launch of its flagship AI product, ChatGPT, in late 2022. The new data residency offering is aimed at addressing growing concerns over data security and privacy, particularly as businesses and public services increasingly rely on AI technologies.
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Why it’s important
This partnership marks an important milestone in the UK’s efforts to position itself as a global leader in AI and digital innovation. The introduction of UK data residency will allow organisations in both the private and public sectors to store sensitive data domestically, ensuring compliance with local data protection laws while also benefiting from the power of AI-driven solutions.
The UK government is emphasising that the new arrangement will not only increase the security and privacy of AI systems but also strengthen resilience against cyber threats. With cyber-attacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated, this initiative helps bolster the country’s digital infrastructure, ensuring that AI technologies can be harnessed safely and effectively across various industries.
