The next chapter for AI in the EU

Source: OpenAI Date: 2026-01-28 URL: https://openai.com/index/the-next-chapter-for-ai-in-the-eu

Summary

OpenAI’s policy post on their EU strategy, published as the EU AI Act’s obligations began taking effect. Likely covers OpenAI’s compliance posture for the Act’s GPAI (General Purpose AI) provisions, data residency commitments for European users, and investment/partnership plans in EU member states. Part of OpenAI’s ongoing effort to establish legitimacy with EU regulators.

Implications

Policy thread. The EU AI Act’s GPAI provisions directly affect OpenAI: transparency requirements, system card obligations, and potentially the highest-risk classifications depending on how future guidance develops. OpenAI’s January 2026 EU post signals they’re engaging proactively rather than waiting for enforcement actions — the contrast with their early resistance to EU data protection requirements is notable. Their EU data residency expansion (announced in this period) is the commercial concession that enables continued EU market access.