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OpenAI has appointed George Osborne as managing director and head of its OpenAI for Countries initiative, tasking the former chancellor with leading the company’s global push to work with governments on national artificial intelligence strategies.
Osborne, 54, who served as Conservative chancellor from 2010 to 2016, will take up the London-based role in January. He will oversee the international expansion of OpenAI’s “Stargate” initiative, which aims to support the development of AI infrastructure while promoting what the company describes as “democratic” values in the deployment of the technology.
The appointment comes as competition intensifies among leading AI groups to deepen relationships with governments. Rival start-up Anthropic appointed former prime minister Rishi Sunak as an adviser in October, underlining the growing crossover between politics and the fast-developing AI sector.
OpenAI for Countries is positioned as an overseas extension of Stargate, OpenAI’s programme to build large-scale data centre capacity in the United States. Internationally, the initiative is intended to help governments develop AI systems aligned with democratic principles, while also supporting local innovation ecosystems, skills development, education and digital infrastructure.
Osborne said OpenAI was “the most exciting and promising company in the world right now”, adding that discussions with senior executives had reassured him about the company’s intentions.
“After speaking with Sam Altman and Brad Lightcap, it’s clear they care very deeply about ensuring the power of artificial intelligence is developed responsibly, and that its benefits are felt by all,” he said.
Since leaving frontline politics in 2017, Osborne has built a broad portfolio career. He was editor of the Evening Standard, is a co-host of the Political Currency podcast alongside former Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls, and currently chairs the British Museum. He also serves as co-president of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and as an adviser to Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange, and previously to BlackRock.
In 2021, Osborne became a partner at boutique investment bank Robey Warshaw, which was acquired by Evercore earlier this year. He confirmed that he will step down from the bank ahead of joining OpenAI.
Sir Simon Robey, a founding partner of Robey Warshaw, said: “George has made a significant contribution to the life and business of Robey Warshaw, and I am confident he will bring the same impact to OpenAI.”
The move reflects OpenAI’s growing focus on international policy engagement as governments around the world race to regulate and harness AI. With its valuation estimated at around $500 billion, the company is increasingly positioning itself not just as a technology provider, but as a strategic partner to states seeking to shape how artificial intelligence is built, governed and deployed in the years ahead.
