New Delhi: OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman has described India as a potential “full-stack AI leader,” signalling a major expansion of OpenAI’s presence in the country and closer collaboration with the Indian government.
In an opinion article published in the Times of India ahead of the Global AI Impact Summit 2026, Altman said India has emerged as OpenAI’s second-largest user base worldwide, behind only the United States. The summit is scheduled to begin on February 16 at Bharat Mandapam.
Altman said OpenAI is committed to building artificial intelligence “in India, with India, and for India,” highlighting the company’s efforts to make AI tools freely accessible regardless of income, education or technological background. He noted that OpenAI recently trained more than 200 nonprofit leaders across four Indian cities to use ChatGPT for improving organisational efficiency and social impact.
The OpenAI CEO also confirmed that the company opened its first office in Delhi last August and plans to further expand operations this year. He added that he would be visiting India next week, during which OpenAI is expected to announce new partnership models with the Indian government to widen public access to AI technologies.
Altman outlined a three-pillar framework to ensure AI delivers inclusive benefits in India: access to tools, adoption across institutions such as schools and clinics, and agency—empowering users with the confidence and skills to apply AI in decision-making and innovation.
According to Altman, India currently has around 100 million weekly active users of OpenAI tools, the highest number of students using ChatGPT globally, and ranks fourth worldwide in the adoption of Prism, OpenAI’s free scientific research and collaboration platform.
He also praised the government’s IndiaAI Mission, calling it a critical step toward expanding computing capacity, supporting startups and promoting multilingual AI applications in sectors such as healthcare and agriculture.
Warning of a “capability overhang,” where access to AI outpaces the skills needed to use it effectively, Altman stressed the importance of large-scale AI literacy and robust digital infrastructure. He said democracies like India are uniquely positioned to shape the future of artificial intelligence in an inclusive and responsible manner.
The Global AI Impact Summit 2026 is expected to bring together heads of government, international ministers, industry leaders and technology experts to discuss AI-driven growth, governance and sustainable development, with a special focus on the Global South.
