While the global artificial intelligence race is often framed as a contest between the United States and China, India is rapidly emerging as a decisive third force, both as a massive user base and as a strategic market for leading technology companies.

OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman has revealed that around 100 million people in India use ChatGPT every week. This makes India the largest market in Asia for the platform and the second largest globally after the United States, out of roughly 800 million weekly active users worldwide.

Altman shared the figures ahead of the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where policymakers, researchers and global technology leaders are discussing the future of artificial intelligence across sectors.

Young Population Driving Explosive Adoption

India’s demographic profile is a major factor behind the rapid uptake of AI tools. With one of the world’s youngest populations and a vast student community, the country offers fertile ground for digital technologies that enhance learning and productivity.

Students in particular have become heavy users of AI platforms. ChatGPT is widely used for homework assistance, coding support, competitive exam preparation, language learning and research. Altman noted that India has the largest number of student users on the platform globally, reflecting how young people are integrating AI into daily academic life.

India also ranks among the top countries using advanced research tools offered by OpenAI, indicating growing adoption beyond casual use into professional and scientific applications.

Pricing Strategy Tailored For India

Affordability remains a crucial factor in India’s technology market. To expand its reach, OpenAI introduced a low cost subscription tier priced below 5 dollars per month and later offered it free for a year to Indian users. This significantly lowered barriers to entry and accelerated adoption across income groups.

The company has also strengthened its physical presence by opening an office in New Delhi in 2025, signalling long term commitment to the Indian market.

Such localisation strategies highlight how global AI firms are adapting their business models to suit India’s price sensitive but high volume user base.

Big Tech Rivals Also Targeting India

OpenAI is not alone in recognising India’s importance. Google has been aggressively promoting its Gemini AI platform, especially among students. Free subscriptions, campus outreach and partnerships with telecom providers have helped expand its reach.

Through a major collaboration with Reliance Jio, Google has offered Gemini AI Pro free for a limited period to hundreds of millions of subscribers, particularly targeting young users aged 18 to 25.

Professionals, developers and researchers are also increasingly relying on AI tools for productivity, content creation and data analysis, further expanding the market beyond education.

As AI becomes embedded in everyday life, India’s scale, digital infrastructure and talent pool are positioning it as both a testing ground and a growth engine for global technology companies. Rather than a passive consumer, the country is emerging as a central player shaping how artificial intelligence is adopted and deployed worldwide.

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