In a significant move signaling OpenAI’s ambitious plans for the Indian market, the renowned AI giant, under the leadership of Sam Altman, has joined forces with Rishi Jaitly, former head of Twitter India. The collaboration aims to gain valuable insights into the complexities of India’s AI policies and regulations, a critical aspect in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
Rishi Jaitly, now a senior advisor at OpenAI, brings a wealth of experience to the partnership. His notable roles include heading the public-private partnership for Google in India from 2007 to 2009 and serving as Twitter’s Founding Managing Director in India, eventually rising to the position of Vice President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & North Africa by the time of his departure in 2016.
The strategic collaboration is not limited to advisory roles, as OpenAI has outlined plans to establish a local team in India. This move underscores the company’s commitment to actively engage with and contribute to India’s rapidly growing AI ecosystem.
While OpenAI does not currently have an official presence in India, Sam Altman’s significant interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his June visit emphasize the company’s keen interest in India’s burgeoning tech landscape. Discussions during the visit focused on the potential benefits of AI for the country, laying the groundwork for the subsequent collaboration with Rishi Jaitly.
According to a report by TechCrunch, OpenAI is poised to participate in the upcoming Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence summit in Delhi. The event, themed “Collaborative AI for Global Partnership (CAIGP) – Global Cooperation for Equitable AI,” will feature discussions with industry experts and international leaders. OpenAI’s vice president of global affairs, Anna Makanju, is set to play a crucial role in the summit, and sources suggest that Rishi Jaitly played a pivotal role in facilitating her involvement.
During a June event in New Delhi, Sam Altman responded to questions regarding building foundational models with a $10 million budget, stating it was a “hopeless” endeavor. Altman later clarified that his remarks were taken out of context, emphasizing the challenge of competing with well-funded organizations like OpenAI on a limited budget. He encouraged startups to focus on innovative contributions to the AI landscape.
India, as the world’s most populous country and the second-largest internet market, presents substantial growth opportunities. Sam Altman acknowledged the country’s enthusiasm for embracing AI and other technologies during his visit to IIIT Delhi. While OpenAI has not disclosed specific investments in India, sources indicate that the company views the country as a key market and is exploring opportunities to expand its presence, though the pace of this move remains uncertain.
In contrast to OpenAI’s current position, Microsoft, a major investor and strategic partner of OpenAI, boasts a significant presence in India dating back to the 1990s. With one of its largest R&D centers in Bengaluru and three data centers across the country, Microsoft operates actively in 10 Indian cities with over 20,000 employees. The software giant not only demonstrates a robust presence but also actively invests in Indian startups, highlighting its commitment to the region.
As OpenAI progresses with its strategic collaboration with Rishi Jaitly and explores establishing a local team in India, the company faces regulatory challenges as a potential obstacle. While Microsoft, with its longstanding presence, has successfully navigated the regulatory landscape, OpenAI’s focus on regulatory aspects becomes crucial at this juncture. As the company aligns its board to support commercial initiatives, it remains to be seen how OpenAI will overcome regulatory hurdles and contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving AI landscape.
