OpenAI will begin offering UK-based data residency starting Friday, giving British companies and government agencies the option to store and process data within national borders. The initiative, developed with the Ministry of Justice, supports stronger privacy protections, better cybersecurity, and more resilient AI infrastructure.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy praised the move, announcing that AI tools like “Justice Transcribe” are already improving efficiency for over 1,000 probation officers. The technology transcribes conversations automatically, reducing administrative workload and allowing more time for public-facing duties.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said UK usage of its tools has quadrupled in the past year, as organizations embrace AI to boost productivity. Customers of ChatGPT Enterprise, ChatGPT Edu, and the API Platform will soon have the option to select UK data residency. The announcement follows OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-powered browser that could redefine online search through personalized, conversational interactions.
