OpenAI is set to establish a corporate office in New Delhi in the coming months, marking its formal entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing technology markets, reports Bloomberg. Known globally for its AI chatbot ChatGPT, the company announced it has begun hiring to expand its local team. At present, OpenAI has just one employee in India, Pragya Misra, who heads public policy and partnerships after joining last year. With the new office, OpenAI aims to strengthen its presence in India, tapping into the country’s vast pool of tech talent and strategic importance in shaping global AI policy and innovation.
OpenAI is preparing to deepen its engagement in India by opening a new office and expanding its local team, a move that reflects the country’s growing importance in the global technology ecosystem. With a population of 1.4 billion and a reputation for world-class technology talent, India represents both a vast opportunity and a complex market for international firms.
Deepening ties with India
A stronger on-the-ground presence will allow OpenAI to build closer partnerships with the government, businesses, and the country’s developer community. The company has already committed to supporting the federal government’s $1.2 billion IndiaAI Mission, an ambitious initiative to create home-grown large and small language models tailored for regional needs. This aligns with OpenAI’s long-term strategy to ensure artificial intelligence adapts to diverse linguistic, cultural and policy contexts.
The expansion also highlights OpenAI’s desire to contribute to the early shaping of AI regulations in India. As governments worldwide rush to set rules for the fast-evolving technology, India’s decisions will carry significant global weight. Yet the market has not always been an easy one to navigate, with regulatory shifts and local sensitivities posing challenges for many foreign tech companies.
India, second-largest ChatGPT market
India is already OpenAI’s second-largest market by users of ChatGPT, demonstrating the scale of demand for its products. To broaden access, the company this week launched a more affordable monthly plan priced below $5, alongside its free and premium subscription tiers. In addition, OpenAI will host its first developer day in India later this year, signalling its intent to foster local innovation and a developer ecosystem around its tools.
With the new office and expanded team, OpenAI aims not only to tap India’s talent pool but also to anchor itself in one of the most strategically important markets for the future of artificial intelligence.
(With Bloomberg inputs)