OpenAI, a global leader in artificial intelligence, recently announced that it will establish its first Indian office in New Delhi this year, marking its official entry into one of the world's fastest-growing AI markets. This strategic move follows the company's establishment of a legal entity in India and the launch of local team recruitment, aiming to deepen its ties with its second-largest user base. Notably, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Go, a low-cost subscription service exclusively for India, this week, at just 399 rupees (approximately 32.8 yuan) per month, an 80% reduction from the original price of ChatGPT Plus and a new regional low for the company.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized in a statement: "Establishing a local office and team is a critical step in making advanced AI accessible to the entire Indian population. We will work with India to shape the future of AI." Data shows that ChatGPT's weekly active users in India have quadrupled over the past year, with the country now boasting the highest proportion of student users globally. Furthermore, India's vast software talent pool—producing over 1.5 million engineers annually—provides OpenAI with a vital resource pool, and local operations will help it efficiently recruit top technical talent.
Analysts point out that OpenAI's dual strategy of low-cost subscriptions and local presence demonstrates its keen insight into emerging markets. ChatGPT Go is priced at just one-fifth of the standard US plan, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for students and startups. With India's AI market projected to exceed $17 billion by 2027, OpenAI's move not only strengthens its global presence but also lays the groundwork for its Asian competition with tech giants like Google and Meta. Industry observers predict that the Indian office will become a strategic hub for OpenAI's expansion into South Asia and the Middle East.
