By Iyore Akenzua
IT News Correspondent
OpenAI to Expand London Office Into Its Largest Research Base Outside the United States
OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, has unveiled plans to significantly expand its London operations, aiming to transform the UK capital into its biggest research centre outside the United States.
The company, which currently employs about 30 researchers in London, said it intends to grow its presence substantially, citing the city’s exceptional talent pool and strong tradition of collaboration across scientific and technical fields. OpenAI’s European headquarters remain in Dublin, but London is now being positioned as a critical hub for advanced AI development.
Mark Chen, OpenAI’s Chief Research Officer, explained that the company is prepared to offer highly competitive compensation packages to attract top talent, matching or exceeding offers from rivals such as Google and DeepMind. He emphasized that skilled AI researchers are in extremely high demand globally, making competition for talent intense.
Chen also highlighted OpenAI’s organisational culture, describing it as more flexible and innovation-driven compared to more structured corporate environments. He noted that researchers at OpenAI are often empowered to pursue ambitious projects with broad company support.
Global tech giants locked in high-stakes AI race
The expansion comes amid an escalating global battle among major technology firms to dominate artificial intelligence. Companies including Google, Amazon, and Meta are investing tens of billions of dollars into AI infrastructure, research, and data centres.
In 2025 alone, Google reportedly allocated around $85 billion toward expanding its AI infrastructure, while Amazon committed the majority of its $100 billion capital spending to AI-related projects. Meta has also announced plans to invest tens of billions in massive data centres to power its AI ambitions.
The fierce competition has driven salaries to unprecedented levels. Mid-level AI researchers at leading companies can earn six-figure base salaries, alongside stock options and bonuses that significantly increase their total compensation. In some cases, top engineers have reportedly received offers worth hundreds of millions—or even billions—of dollars in long-term incentives.
AI agents driving next phase of technological transformation
Chen said a major breakthrough driving the industry forward is the development of AI agents—software systems capable of performing tasks independently. These tools are increasingly being used in real-world professional settings, marking a shift from purely experimental technology to practical workplace applications.
He added that AI is rapidly evolving to handle complex tasks traditionally performed by analysts and researchers, though public concerns remain about its broader societal impact.
Despite growing scrutiny and debate, OpenAI believes AI will play a transformative role across industries, from science and finance to healthcare and engineering.
The planned expansion of OpenAI’s London hub signals the company’s long-term commitment to strengthening its global research network and securing a leading position in the fast-moving artificial intelligence race.
