OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, is gearing up for a significant expansion in India with plans for one of the largest artificial intelligence data centres in the country. This facility, anticipated to have a capacity of at least 1 gigawatt, represents a substantial investment in India’s evolving digital landscape. Sources indicate that OpenAI has initiated preliminary talks with potential partners in India regarding the project, although the exact location and timeline remain unconfirmed. Sam Altman, the Chief Executive Officer, is expected to visit India later this month, where he may disclose further details. The company has refrained from making any public statements about this development thus far.
India is rapidly becoming a vital market for OpenAI, noted for its increasing user base and long-term prospects. Recently, OpenAI established an office in New Delhi and has been expanding its local workforce. To enhance accessibility, OpenAI introduced a ChatGPT subscription plan priced at just $5 per month for Indian users. This initiative aligns with the Indian government’s IndiaAI Mission, a $1.2 billion effort focused on developing homegrown large language models and promoting AI adoption across various sectors. A domestic data centre of this magnitude would not only foster AI innovation but also address concerns regarding sensitive data being processed abroad.
For users in India, this development would result in quicker, more reliable, and tailored AI services, while also building trust with policymakers and regulators. On a global scale, OpenAI has been significantly investing in infrastructure through its “Stargate” project, which aims to create some of the largest AI data centres worldwide. In the United States, the company is collaborating with partners like Oracle and SoftBank to construct facilities with a total capacity exceeding 4.5 gigawatts. Additionally, projects are in progress in Norway and Abu Dhabi, with the UAE plan, featuring a 5-gigawatt facility, generating discussion in Washington concerning the export of advanced Nvidia chips to the Gulf. India, however, is not subject to such restrictions.
The Trump administration recently clarified that export controls on AI chips would not be applicable to India, alleviating a significant barrier for OpenAI and other tech companies interested in the Indian market. The project in India is also anticipated to complement OpenAI’s broader “OpenAI for Countries” initiative, developed in close collaboration with the US government. This program aims to establish AI infrastructure that aligns with democratic values, providing an alternative to China’s growing influence in global AI development. Reports indicate that over 30 nations are already participating in the initiative, and India is expected to play a pivotal role.
If realized, OpenAI’s 1 GW facility in India would signify a landmark achievement in the country’s AI trajectory, further enhancing its status as one of the fastest-growing hubs for digital and technological innovation.
