OpenAI has unveiled plans to establish its inaugural Indian office in New Delhi, a strategic move aimed at capitalizing on India’s burgeoning artificial intelligence market. This announcement follows the recent launch of a ChatGPT subscription plan specifically tailored for Indian users.
The company announced on Friday its intention to create a local team and establish a corporate office in New Delhi within the coming months. This decision is a continuation of OpenAI’s efforts to expand its presence in the region. Pragya Mishra, formerly of Truecaller and Meta, was appointed as OpenAI’s public policy and partnerships lead in India in April 2024. Her role is to navigate the regulatory environment and forge strategic alliances.
In addition to Mishra’s appointment, Rishi Jaitly, the former head of Twitter India, has been engaged as a senior advisor. Jaitly’s responsibilities include facilitating discussions with the Indian government regarding AI policy, contributing to the development of a supportive regulatory framework. These strategic hires signal OpenAI’s commitment to engaging with local stakeholders and shaping the future of AI in India.
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India, holding the position of the world’s second-largest market for internet and smartphone users, presents a substantial opportunity for OpenAI. The company is in competition with technology giants such as Google and Meta, along with emerging AI companies like Perplexity, all seeking to leverage India’s extensive user base. This competitive landscape underscores the significance of OpenAI’s strategic investments in the region.
OpenAI stated that it has initiated the recruitment of a local team focused on strengthening relationships with partners, governmental bodies, businesses, developers, and academic institutions. The company intends to gather feedback from Indian users to tailor its products to the local context and develop features and tools specifically designed for the Indian market. This localized approach is intended to ensure that OpenAI’s offerings are relevant and accessible to Indian users.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, conveyed his enthusiasm for the expansion in a released statement: “Opening our first office and building a local team is an important first step in our commitment to make advanced AI more accessible across the country and to build AI for India, and with India.” Altman’s statement underscores the company’s dedication to contributing to India’s AI ecosystem and making its technologies available to a broader audience.
OpenAI has also announced its plans to host its inaugural Education Summit in India this month.
