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India Surges as ChatGPT’s Largest Market, Signaling Global Expansion Shift

AI ChatGPT OpenAI India Sam Altman Tech Artificial Intelligence
February 15, 2026
Source: TechCrunch AI
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Global Pivot
Media Hype 7/10
Real Impact 8/10

Article Summary

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is experiencing explosive growth in India, rapidly surpassing the United States as its largest user base. CEO Sam Altman revealed this significant milestone ahead of the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, driven by a staggering 100 million weekly active users. This growth is fueled by a young, tech-savvy population and India’s burgeoning internet landscape. OpenAI’s tailored approach to the price-sensitive Indian market, including the launch of the sub-$5 ChatGPT Go tier and subsequent free year-long access, has been particularly effective. Notably, Indian students represent a key growth segment, mirroring Google’s similar targeting strategy. The India AI Impact Summit, drawing leaders like Anthropic’s Dario Amodei and Google’s Sundar Pichai, underscores the country's rising influence in global AI debates. However, challenges remain, including translating adoption into sustained economic impact and addressing infrastructure constraints. The Indian government's ambitious IndiaAI Mission is attempting to address these gaps, but uneven access and monetization remain critical considerations.

Key Points

  • India now accounts for approximately 100 million weekly active ChatGPT users, making it OpenAI’s largest market globally.
  • OpenAI’s tailored approach, including the ChatGPT Go tier and free access program, has been instrumental in driving adoption amongst Indian users.
  • Indian students represent a significant and rapidly growing segment of ChatGPT’s user base, mirroring Google’s strategy and highlighting the importance of educational applications.

Why It Matters

This news is significant because it demonstrates a crucial shift in OpenAI’s global expansion strategy. India’s massive and rapidly growing user base represents a potentially transformative market, especially given the country’s demographic advantages and burgeoning tech sector. Moreover, it highlights the challenges and opportunities inherent in deploying AI technologies in developing economies, raising questions about equitable access, monetization, and the role of government in fostering innovation. For professionals in the AI field, this news provides a valuable case study in adapting strategies to diverse markets and underscores the importance of understanding local dynamics.

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