OpenAI hired former UK finance minister George Osborne to lead the overseas expansion of the AI player’s $500 billion Stargate initiative which includes building data centres.

Osborne stated on LinkedIn he is now managing director and chief of its “OpenAI for Countries” project which includes the expansion of Stargate while ensuring AI systems are built on democratic values.

Osborne’s remit also includes supporting local innovation ecosystems, education and infrastructure. He starts his new job next month and will be based in London.

He served as the UK’s chancellor of the exchequer from 2010 to 2016.

Osborne’s appointment follows OpenAI rival Anthropic hiring former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a paid senior advisor in October.

OpenAI also hired former Google executive Albert Lee as its VP of corporate development as part of a plan to expand its AI efforts.

AI companies OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta Platforms and Google have engaged in an AI hiring spree this year, which has including attracting employees from each other.