"A lobbying firm co-owned by Peter Mandelson worked for OpenAI before the US tech company signed a wide-ranging agreement with the UK government to explore deploying AI in Britain's justice, security and education systems. In 2024, the $500bn-valued maker of ChatGPT was a client of Global Counsel, which Mandelson co-founded and part-owned. Keir Starmer subsequently appointed Mandelson as ambassador to Washington."
"OpenAI last summer signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK government to develop partnerships to expand public engagement with AI technology. In September it signed another deal to provide 2,500 ChatGPT licences to UK civil servants, starting in the Ministry of Justice. Global Counsel's work for OpenAI was declared on the official register of lobbyists and has prompted questions over the San Francisco-based company's agreements with the British government."
"When he was working to set up the firm in 2010, Mandelson shared with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted child sex offender, his idea that the firm would provide advisers on the politics of deals you want brokered. He sought Epstein's help to find rich individuals as clients, according to emails released as part of the US Department of Justice investigation into Epstein."
Global Counsel, a lobbying firm co-founded and part-owned by Peter Mandelson, represented OpenAI in 2024 and declared that work on the official register of lobbyists. OpenAI signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK government and later agreed to provide 2,500 ChatGPT licences to UK civil servants, beginning in the Ministry of Justice. Keir Starmer appointed Mandelson as ambassador to Washington after the firm’s work for OpenAI. Global Counsel’s clients have included Palantir, which secured more than 500m in contracts with the NHS and Ministry of Defence. Mandelson sought wealthy clients via Jeffrey Epstein when setting up the firm in 2010. Campaigners have raised questions about potential conflicts and influence over government deals.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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