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In focus
- Why OpenAI’s expansion to India matters
- What you might have missed in the Chromebook case shaking up Indonesia
Hello reader,
A year ago, OpenAI’s entire India presence could fit on a single desk: one employee, one laptop, and probably one overworked coffee mug. Fast forward to today, and there’s suddenly a spike in job listings for the company’s operations in the country. There are also big office plans in Delhi, cheap ChatGPT subscription tiers, and even whispers of a data center locally.
CEO Sam Altman himself is expected to visit India, which hints that some serious business is about to happen.
Why all the fuss, though? The country is already OpenAI’s second-largest user market, and Altman believes it could soon be the biggest.
In my story, I suggest that this is an exciting time for AI in India – unless you are a local startup watching an AI heavyweight move into your turf. Companies like Sarvam AI and Ola’s Krutrim, for instance, have been working on vernacular models and deep tech capabilities, carving out niches that speak to the country’s unique needs. They may feel the squeeze if ChatGPT becomes more localized.
On the flipside, there are those who believe OpenAI’s India expansion will uplift the country’s tech ecosystem.
Now the question is this: Will homegrown AI startups see this as collaboration, competition, or a little bit of both?
Indeed, the AI scene in India is getting a lot hotter. Who shines and who burns out will soon be clear.
Samreen Ahmad, journalist
Top Story
OpenAI’s India expansion may threaten homegrown AI dreams
Photo credit: Photo Agency / Shutterstock
OpenAI’s rapid expansion in India marks a turning point for the country’s AI landscape. It will be bringing global scale, fresh investment, and competition that could reshape both startups and legacy IT giants.
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