OpenAI pauses UK data centre project over regulation, costs

[highplainsdem]

Source: Reuters

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is pausing its main data ‌centre project in Britain over an unfavourable regulatory environment and high energy costs, dealing a blow to the UK government's push to position the country as a global AI hub.

Microsoft-backed OpenAI, which has emerged as a ​leading player following the widespread adoption of ChatGPT, said on Thursday it would proceed with ​the data centre once conditions were in place to support sustained, long-term ⁠investment.

OpenAI launched the Stargate UK project in partnership with Nvidia and Nscale last September, timed to ​coincide with U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Britain that generated 150 billion pounds ($201.14 billion) of inward ​investment overall.

Billed by the company as a "major step" forward in the technology partnership between the two countries, the project was aimed at strengthening Britain's sovereign compute capabilities and supporting faster AI adoption in the UK.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/openai-pauses-uk-data-centre-project-over-regulation-costs-2026-04-09/

[ToxMarz]

1. I don't believe anything I read when it comes from Sam Altman and OpenAi

Revealed: UK’s multibillion AI drive is built on ‘phantom investments’

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/09/revealed-uks-multibillion-ai-drive-is-built-on-phantom-investments

A multibillion-pound drive to “mainline AI into the veins” of the British economy is riddled with “phantom investments” and shaky accounting, a Guardian investigation has found.

Since 2024, successive Conservative and Labour governments have proclaimed massive deals to build new datacentres, create thousands of jobs and construct a supercomputer.

The investments – led by two firms linked to AI giant Nvidia - have been touted as a cornerstone of the government’s promise to use tech to turbocharge the economy.

[highplainsdem]

2. Never trust Altman, or other AI bros. Their attempt to control UK governments has also included a

very heavy-handed assault on copyright and intellectual property rights, which has been blocked so far by a coalition of AI opponents, with famous musicians, visual artists and writers among its most prominent spokespersons.