OpenAI, the San Francisco-based leader in artificial intelligence, has announced plans to open its first office in India, marking a significant step in the company’s global expansion strategy. The new office, set to be established in New Delhi later this year, signals OpenAI’s commitment to deepening its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies and second-largest market by user count.
India’s vibrant tech talent pool, thriving developer community, and supportive government initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission have made the country a natural choice for OpenAI’s expansion. CEO Sam Altman highlighted that “India has all the ingredients to become a global AI leader—amazing tech talent, a world-class developer ecosystem, and strong government support.” Recent data shows India is now OpenAI’s second-largest base of ChatGPT users, especially among students and professionals, with usage rates quadrupling over the past year.
The launch coincides with OpenAI’s introduction of its most affordable ChatGPT subscription plan in India, aiming to make advanced AI more accessible to the broader population. Additionally, OpenAI will host its first Education Summit and Developer Day in India, providing more opportunities for collaboration between the company, Indian developers, and local businesses.
Industry leaders have welcomed the news, with India’s IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stating, “OpenAI’s decision to establish a presence in India reflects the country’s growing leadership in digital innovation and AI adoption.” The company has already started hiring a local team in India and is working to adapt its tools to the specific needs of the Indian market.
However, OpenAI also faces challenges, such as stiff competition from local startups and global tech giants like Google’s Gemini and Perplexity, as well as ongoing legal debates over content rights and monetization in a price-sensitive market.
OpenAI’s India office is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s AI landscape, fostering collaboration with the government, startups, and educational institutions, and contributing to trusted, inclusive AI development. As Sam Altman noted, “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”
