AI Giants Expand Into India to Tap World’s Largest Consumer Market

OpenAI’s ChatGPT and AI search engine Perplexity roll out India-focused products as the country emerges as a testing ground for global expansion.

NEW DELHI — Two of the world’s largest artificial intelligence firms are moving aggressively into India, seeking to capture millions of new users in the planet’s most populous country while using it as a proving ground for future growth in other emerging markets.

This summer, OpenAI introduced localized subscription plans for its flagship chatbot, ChatGPT, while Perplexity AI, an AI-powered search engine, also rolled out products tailored to Indian consumers. Both companies are targeting the country’s vast base of young, price-sensitive users, who represent one of the fastest-growing digital audiences worldwide.

Analysts note that India’s enormous population and rich cultural diversity offer a unique opportunity for AI companies to test products on a massive scale. By adapting to the needs of Indian consumers, firms gain valuable insights into how their technologies might perform in other markets with similar economic and demographic conditions.

According to technology experts, India’s role as both a massive consumer market and a live testing environment could determine how quickly global AI adoption accelerates. Companies that succeed in India, they say, are more likely to replicate that success across other emerging economies, where demand for affordable and adaptable AI solutions is expected to surge.