OpenAI expands — and faces EU scrutiny
OpenAI announced plans for its first permanent London office, due in 2027, while the European Commission is reportedly analysing whether ChatGPT should count as a 'large online platform' under the Digital Services Act. The two developments together show the company is both physically expanding European operations and potentially entering a tighter regulatory perimeter. Those moves were reported alongside coverage of OpenAI’s commercial positioning in Europe. (reuters.com) (thehindu.com)
OpenAI plans to open its first permanent office in London in 2027, marking a physical foothold in Europe. (reuters.com) The office will employ around 100 staff initially, focusing on sales, operations and local partnerships. OpenAI currently operates in Europe through temporary hubs in London and Dublin. (reuters.com) At the same time, the European Commission is examining if ChatGPT qualifies as a "large online platform" under the Digital Services Act. That status would trigger stricter rules on content moderation, advertising and risk assessments. (thehindu.com) The Digital Services Act, or DSA, took full effect in February 2024 and targets platforms with over 45 million monthly EU users. Very Large Online Platforms face fines up to 6% of global revenue for violations. (ec.europa.eu) ChatGPT has about 400 million weekly active users worldwide as of late 2025, with Europe as its second-largest market after the US. The Commission has not confirmed a formal investigation but is assessing user thresholds. (thehindu.com) OpenAI's expansion follows a hiring push in Europe since 2023, including a Paris research team and deals with publishers like Le Monde. The company says the London office will accelerate enterprise sales amid rising AI demand. (reuters.com) The DSA scrutiny echoes probes into X and TikTok; Meta's Llama models already face similar reviews. OpenAI argues ChatGPT is a service, not a traditional social platform, potentially dodging the label. (politico.eu) Regulators worry AI tools like ChatGPT spread misinformation or illegal content without systemic safeguards. The Act requires annual risk reports on issues like election interference, which OpenAI has not yet filed. (ec.europa.eu) OpenAI's Sam Altman welcomed the London move, saying it signals "commitment to the UK as a leader in safe AI." EU officials have praised the investment but stressed compliance with bloc-wide rules. (reuters.com) A decision on ChatGPT's DSA status could come by late 2026, as the Commission finalizes its platform list. OpenAI's European revenue hit $1 billion in 2025, tying its growth to regulatory navigation. (bloomberg.com)
