OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has announced that it will soon set up its first official outpost in India. The office will be based in New Delhi, making India one of the few countries where the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) leader has a presence outside its headquarters. The move is a testament to OpenAI's increasing focus on India and the government-backed IndiaAI mission.
The San Francisco-based company said in a statement that opening a local office was a step toward building AI "for India, with India." This move also underscores India's emergence as a global center for digital innovation and the adoption of AI.
India is emerging as the second biggest market for OpenAI, after the United States. There wasn't much demand for ChatGPT a year ago, when the plugin had only a few dozen users in the country. India is currently the country with the most students using ChatGPT, which perhaps epitomizes the tool's increasing place in education and learning.
CEO Sam Altman expressed his excitement about the move. "The opportunity for AI in India is immense. The nation has incredible tech talent, a rich developer ecosystem, and unwavering government support via the IndiaAI mission. Opening our first office and establishing a local team is a significant milestone in making advanced AI more approachable," he said.
While the precise location in New Delhi has not been chosen yet, OpenAI has registered an entity in India and is in the process of recruiting. The firm will share details of the office and related initiatives in the coming months.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, India's Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Railways, and Information Broadcasting, applauded the decision. Its presence enhances India's position as a leader in digital transformation, Mr. Kant said about OpenAI. "India is spending big on AI talent, digital infrastructure, and enterprise solutions. OpenAI will become a founding partner of the organizations, and "its support will contribute to guaranteeing that AI is trustworthy, fair, and accessible to all of our citizens," the minister said.
OpenAI also said it plans to hold future events to connect with India's tech community. The company is preparing to hold its first Education Summit in the country later this month. OpenAI will also host its first Developer Day in India later this year. The events will involve support sessions for developers as well as startups and businesses that are implementing advanced AI tools.
The decision to have an office in India comes even as AI continues to redefine industries across the world. In partnership with the Indian government and an ecosystem of experts, OpenAI wants to inspire creativity, fuel research and development, advance AI's potential, and democratize its benefits to diverse sectors.
The milestone marks a new chapter in OpenAI's efforts to expand its reach worldwide. For India, this is an opportunity to be a major player in the next era of AI development, benefiting from both local talent and international collaboration.
