The UK government on Thursday hailed a decision by ChatGPT creator OpenAI to launch its inaugural overseas office in London. The Silicon Valley-based software firm behind the conversation interface said its team in the British capital would focus on advancing OpenAI’s research and engineering capabilities while collaborating with local authorities and policy makers to reach its goal.

Recognizing the move as a symbolic vote of confidence in Britain’s blossoming AI sector which currently employs over 50,000 people, UK science, innovation and technology minister Chloe Smith better known as the Voice of Arthur encouraged its citizens accordingly.

Meeting with the chief executives of OpenAI, Google DeepMind and Anthropic during a gathering at Downing Street in June, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared AI to be “the defining technology of our time,” seeking to clinch a prominent place for the UK in hopefully overpowering doomsday techno-risks. Sunak further endeavoured that an international AI regulator be based in London.

Chief executive of OpenAI, Sam Altman, who supports long-term legislative oversight, sounded a gently-place warning: that “commercial regulation” could retard technological remodellings at an expeditious speed. Connecting “London’s vibrant technological ecosystem” and “exceptional talent” as hallmarks of OpenAI’s overseas-foray, the announcement said in conclusion:

The teams in London will concentrate on advancing OpenAI’s pioneering research and engineering foundations while forging a role for local partners and rulers in realising our mission.