OpenAI has appointed George Osborne as chief executive and head of its OpenAI for Countries initiative, tasking the former chancellor with leading the company’s global efforts to work with governments on national artificial intelligence strategies.
Osborne, 54, who was 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 use of the technology.
The appointment comes as competition among leading AI groups to deepen relationships with governments is heating up. Rival startup Anthropic appointed former prime minister Rishi Sunak as an adviser in October, underscoring the growing overlap between politics and the rapidly evolving AI sector.
OpenAI for Countries is positioned as an overseas extension of Stargate, OpenAI’s program to build large-scale data center capacity in the United States. At the international level, the initiative aims to support governments in developing AI systems aligned with democratic principles, while supporting local innovation ecosystems, skills development, education and digital infrastructure.
Osborne said OpenAI is “the most exciting and promising company in the world right now,” adding that conversations with senior executives had convinced him of the company’s intentions.
“After speaking with Sam Altman and Brad Lightcap, it is clear that they are passionate about ensuring that 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, co-hosts the Political Currency podcast alongside former Labor shadow chancellor Ed Balls and currently runs the British Museum. He also serves as co-president of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and as an advisor to Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange, and previously 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 be retiring from the bank before joining OpenAI.
Sir Simon Robey, founding partner of Robey Warshaw, said: “George has made a significant contribution to the life and business of Robey Warshaw and I am confident that he will have the same impact on OpenAI.”
The move reflects OpenAI’s growing focus on international policy engagement as governments around the world struggle to regulate and use AI. With an estimated value of around $500 billion, the company is increasingly positioning itself not only as a technology provider, but also as a strategic partner for states that will shape how artificial intelligence will be built, controlled and deployed in the coming years.
