OpenAI planning its first India office in New Delhi by end of year

Aimed at deepening its presence in the country, ChatGPT parent company, OpenAI is reportedly in talks to open its first India office in New Delhi later this year. The Microsoft-backed company has also started hiring talent for its local team in India. Earlier this week, OpenAI also launched its cheapest monthly plan at $4.60 in India. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, building a local team is an important step in its commitment to build AI for India, and with India.

"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," Sam Altman said.

India has the largest population of student users on ChatGPT, and weekly active users here have quadrupled in the past year, OpenAI said in newly shared market data on Friday.

OpenAI also faces legal challenges in India, with news outlets and book publishers accusing the firm of using their content without permission to help train ChatGPT. The company has, however, denied any wrongdoing.

The company faces strong competition in India from rivals like Google's Gemini and AI startup Perplexity, both of which have launched offerings that make their advanced plans free for many users in the market.