United Kingdom, Dec. 17 -- Former UK chancellor George Osborne is joining artificial intelligence heavyweight OpenAI.

He is taking on a senior London-based role leading its OpenAI for Countries programme.

The initiative is designed to help governments build national AI capacity, from developing infrastructure and improving AI literacy to deploying the technology across public services.

OpenAI says the programme has already engaged with more than 50 countries as it positions AI as a form of "critical infrastructure" with long-term economic and geopolitical implications.

Announcing the move, Mr. Osborne, 54, said it was a "privilege" to join the company after conversations with chief executive Sam Altman and chief operating officer Brad...