OpenAI announced on 28 January 2026 that it will expand access to its AI models across the European Union, marking what the company describes as "the next chapter for AI in the EU" [source]. The announcement follows months of regulatory uncertainty surrounding the EU AI Act and OpenAI's compliance strategy in the region.

The company stated it will make its models, including GPT-4 and newer releases, more widely available to EU users and businesses. OpenAI cited progress in establishing what it calls "appropriate safeguards" to meet European regulatory requirements, though specific technical or policy changes were not detailed in the announcement.

The move reverses earlier signals from OpenAI about potential service limitations in Europe. In mid-2024, the company had indicated it might restrict certain features or delay releases in EU markets pending clarity on the AI Act's implementation. The January 2026 statement suggests those concerns have been addressed, at least to OpenAI's satisfaction.

OpenAI's announcement did not specify whether model behaviour, content filtering, or data handling practices will differ for EU users compared to other regions. The company referenced "ongoing dialogue with European regulators" but provided no timeline for formal compliance certification under the AI Act.

The EU AI Act, which entered into force in August 2024, imposes tiered obligations on AI systems based on risk classification. General-purpose AI models like GPT-4 face transparency and documentation requirements, with stricter rules for high-risk applications.

OpenAI's statement offered no technical documentation of changes made to achieve EU compliance, leaving observers to monitor whether model outputs or availability differ across jurisdictions.