OpenAI to Open Its First Office in India This Year; Founder Sam Altman Plans Visit Next Month

OpenAI has announced plans to open its first office in India, located in New Delhi, later this year. Sam Altman, the company's founder, shared his excitement about visiting India next month. He noted the rapid adoption of AI in the country, highlighting that ChatGPT users have quadrupled over the past year. This expansion reflects OpenAI's commitment to investing more in India and supporting the IndiaAI Mission.

OpenAI has already established a legal entity in India and is in the process of hiring a local team. Altman expressed enthusiasm for this development, stating: "We are opening our first office in India later this year! and I am looking forward to visiting next month." The company aims to collaborate with the Indian government to develop AI solutions tailored for the country.

AI Adoption and Market Growth

India is emerging as a global leader in AI adoption, with a thriving ecosystem and increasing demand for advanced tools from OpenAI. The country ranks among the top five developer markets globally on OpenAI's platform. Additionally, India boasts the largest student population using ChatGPT worldwide, showcasing its potential as a hub for AI innovation.

OpenAI's decision to establish a presence in India underscores the country's growing leadership in digital innovation. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, highlighted India's investments in digital infrastructure and AI talent. He welcomed OpenAI's partnership in advancing the vision of trusted and inclusive AI through the IndiaAI Mission.

Local Initiatives and Future Plans

The new office will enable OpenAI to better serve its Indian users, including students, educators, professionals, and developers. The local team will focus on strengthening relationships with partners, governments, businesses, developers, and academic institutions. OpenAI is committed to creating features and tools specifically designed for India.

Recent initiatives for the Indian market include ChatGPT Go, a subscription plan priced at Rs 399 per month. This plan offers increased message limits, image generation, and file uploads. Additionally, all ChatGPT subscriptions can now be paid through UPI, making it easier for users across India to access OpenAI's advanced tools.

Upcoming Events and Hiring

OpenAI plans to host its first Education Summit in India this month. Later this year, it will also hold its first Developer Day in the country. These events aim to bring together developers, startups, and enterprises shaping the future of AI in India. OpenAI is actively recruiting for roles in India and will announce further details about the new office soon.

Altman previously acknowledged India's significance as OpenAI's second-largest market after the US. He noted that India's rapid growth could soon make it their largest market globally. "India is our second-largest market in the world after the US," Altman stated. "It's incredibly fast-growing, but what users are doing with AI is really quite remarkable."

The expansion into India highlights OpenAI's commitment to making advanced AI accessible across the country. By building a local team and opening an office, OpenAI aims to support India's journey towards becoming a global leader in AI innovation.

With inputs from PTI