Artificial intelligence firm OpenAI will establish its first office in India later this year, CEO Sam Altman announced on Friday, citing the rapid rise of ChatGPT users in the country.
In a post on X, Altman wrote, “We are opening our first office in India later this year! And I’m looking forward to visiting next month. AI adoption in India has been amazing to watch—ChatGPT users grew 4x in the past year—and we are excited to invest much more in India!”
The announcement was welcomed by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who said India is well-placed to lead the next wave of AI-driven transformation under the government’s IndiaAI Mission.
“Bharat is uniquely positioned to drive the next wave of AI-led transformation. As part of the IndiaAI Mission, we are building the ecosystem for trusted and inclusive AI. We welcome OpenAI’s partnership in advancing this vision to ensure the benefits of AI reach every citizen,” Vaishnaw posted on X.
Altman had earlier met Vaishnaw in February 2025, during which they discussed India’s plans to build a full-stack AI ecosystem covering GPUs, large models, and applications. Altman reportedly expressed his willingness to collaborate on all three areas and appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of democratising technology.
The meeting also involved Indian startups, with the minister encouraging innovators to develop unique AI-driven solutions. He revealed that the government will soon launch an open competition for AI applications to boost innovation in the sector.
OpenAI’s expansion into India reflects the country’s growing role as a major hub for AI adoption, development, and innovation.