OpenAI announced on Thursday that it will make London its largest research hub outside the United States, citing the UK’s technology ecosystem as an ideal environment to invest in and develop next-generation artificial intelligence systems.

The expansion aligns with Britain’s ambition to position itself as an “AI superpower”, attracting global investment from leading AI model developers.

Mark Chen, OpenAI’s research chief, highlighted the UK’s advantages, noting its mix of talent, world-class universities, and globally respected scientific institutions, which provide a strategic edge in a sector governments worldwide view as crucial.

UK Technology Minister Liz Kendall described the move as a “huge vote of confidence” and said it reinforces the country’s standing as a global leader in safe and transformative AI innovation.

OpenAI has not disclosed specifics such as investment size or job numbers. Its London team currently employs over 30 people. The company, whose European headquarters are in Dublin, opened its first international office in London in 2023, focusing on software and infrastructure to support AI model development and deployment.

This expansion underscores London’s growing role as a hub for AI research and signals continued international investment by major AI firms outside the U.S.