OpenAI Expands Its London Research Office

February 26, 2026 · WIRED

OpenAI is building a major AI research presence in London as talent competition tightens.

OpenAI said it would scale its London team and infrastructure, directly competing for research talent in a key global market.

The move is part of a broader race where universities, startups, and hyperscalers are all investing in deep AI talent concentration.

For OpenAI, stronger UK presence is not just hiring optics; it is about time-zone resilience and long-term research throughput.

The expansion also reflects that the AI frontier is increasingly won by ecosystem depth, not just capital.

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OpenAI is building a major AI research presence in London as talent competition tightens.

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