The discussion of a £2 billion state-funded ChatGPT Plus subscription raises a fundamental question about the future of technology access in the UK: who gets to use premium AI? For now, the answer remains those who can afford the $20 monthly fee.
The proposal floated between Peter Kyle and Sam Altman was a radical attempt to change this. It was based on the principle of universal access, treating advanced AI as a public good that should be available to all citizens, regardless of their income. This would have been a significant move to prevent a “digital divide” in the age of AI.
The rejection of the plan on cost grounds means that the two-tiered system of AI access—a powerful version for paying customers and a more limited one for everyone else—will persist. The government has decided, at least for now, not to intervene in this market dynamic.
This has long-term implications for social equity. If premium AI tools provide a significant competitive advantage in education and the workplace, a pay-to-play system could exacerbate existing inequalities. The scrapped deal highlights a major policy debate that is only just beginning.