In a significant move to bolster its global ambitions, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has appointed a high-profile former British politician to its leadership team. The company has hired George Osborne, the United Kingdom's former Chancellor of the Exchequer, to drive the international expansion of its critical infrastructure projects.
Osborne's New Role and the Stargate Ambition
George Osborne confirmed his appointment in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He will take on the role of Managing Director and Head of OpenAI for Countries. Based in London, his primary responsibility will be to oversee partnerships with various nations to develop massive data centres and the necessary energy infrastructure to support advanced artificial intelligence.
This strategic hire is directly linked to scaling OpenAI's ambitious $500 billion "Stargate" project outside the United States. Stargate is a monumental initiative focused on building supercomputing power dedicated to AI. Osborne's extensive experience running the UK Treasury from 2010 to 2016 is seen as a major asset for OpenAI, providing seasoned expertise in negotiating complex, high-stakes infrastructure deals with foreign governments.
In his announcement, Osborne expressed his belief that OpenAI is currently the world's most exciting company. He stated that his conversations with CEO Sam Altman, COO Brad Lightcap, and other senior leaders convinced him of their commitment to developing AI responsibly and ensuring its benefits are widely shared.
The Growing Trend of Political Hiring in Tech
Osborne's career shift from Westminster to Silicon Valley is part of a noticeable pattern among major technology firms. These companies are increasingly seeking the diplomatic and regulatory experience that former politicians possess as they navigate complex global landscapes.
For instance, Rishi Sunak, the former UK Prime Minister, joined OpenAI's rival Anthropic as well as Microsoft as an advisor in October last year. Similarly, Nick Clegg, the former UK Deputy Prime Minister, served as a top executive at Meta (formerly Facebook) from 2018 until early 2025. This trend underscores how tech giants are valuing political acumen alongside technical innovation.
The Intensifying Global AI Race
The recruitment of George Osborne comes at a time when the competition for global dominance in artificial intelligence is heating up significantly. Tech companies are investing colossal sums to secure top engineering and research talent. OpenAI's move to bring a political heavyweight on board signals a new phase in this race, one that involves not just technological prowess but also deep geopolitical and infrastructural partnerships.
By appointing Osborne, OpenAI aims to smoothly execute its vision of building a worldwide network of AI infrastructure. This strategy is crucial for sustaining the computational demands of next-generation AI models and ensuring the company's growth and influence on the international stage.
