OpenAI, the US-based artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, will open its first office in India later this year, marking a major step in its global expansion strategy. The development, first reported by Reuters, underlines the company’s commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing AI markets.

The office, to be located in New Delhi, will host a local team to support operations and strengthen engagement with Indian users. This follows OpenAI’s recent registration of a legal entity in India and its ongoing recruitment drive for key roles.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described the move as vital to deepening ties with India’s technology sector.

“Opening an office in New Delhi allows us to collaborate more closely with the Indian tech community and make our AI tools more accessible to users across the country,” he said.

With nearly one billion internet users, India has quickly become a core market for AI adoption. Reuters reports that India now accounts for the largest student user base of ChatGPT worldwide, with weekly active users quadrupling over the past year.

To boost adoption further, OpenAI recently launched a low-cost ChatGPT subscription plan in India at $4.60 per month, targeting students and professionals.

Despite its growth, OpenAI faces hurdles in India. Several publishers and media outlets have accused the company of using copyrighted material to train its AI models allegations OpenAI has denied. Legal scrutiny remains ongoing, but the company insists it is committed to operating responsibly.

Altman reiterated OpenAI’s long-term outlook:

“We see incredible opportunity in India. Our goal is to provide access to advanced AI responsibly and to work alongside local developers, students, and organisations to build solutions that benefit everyone.”

India’s AI landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, with Google, Microsoft-backed startups, and homegrown Indian AI firms rolling out rival tools. Nonetheless, analysts say OpenAI’s strong user base and direct presence in the country could give it a significant advantage in shaping how AI is adopted across sectors.