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India has 100M weekly active ChatGPT users, Sam Altman says

February 16, 2026
5 min
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By ZadeNor AI Team
India has 100M weekly active ChatGPT users, Sam Altman says

India has 100M weekly active ChatGPT users, Sam Altman says

India's Rise as a Global AI Hub: Insights from OpenAI's Sam Altman

As the world grapples with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), one country is emerging as a key player in the global AI landscape: India. With over 100 million weekly active users of ChatGPT, OpenAI's popular AI chatbot, India has become the second-largest user base for the platform after the United States. This remarkable growth has caught the attention of OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, who has highlighted India's potential to shape the future of AI.

India's AI Adoption: A Growing Trend

India's AI adoption is driven by a combination of factors, including a large and young population, a growing internet user base, and a government that is actively promoting the development and use of AI. The country's AI adoption is also fueled by the growing demand for AI-powered services, such as chatbots, virtual assistants, and predictive analytics.

ChatGPT's Success in India

ChatGPT's success in India can be attributed to several factors, including its user-friendly interface, its ability to understand and respond to natural language queries, and its vast knowledge base. The platform's popularity in India has also been driven by its affordability, with a sub-$5 ChatGPT Go tier that was later made free for a year for Indian users.

India's Student Population: A Key Growth Segment

India's student population is a key growth segment for leading AI companies, including OpenAI. According to Sam Altman, India has the largest number of student users of ChatGPT globally. This is not surprising, given the country's large and growing student population, as well as the increasing demand for AI-powered services in education.

Google's Efforts to Embed AI in Classrooms

Google has also been actively working to embed AI in classrooms, offering Indian students a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan. This move is part of Google's efforts to promote AI adoption in education and to make AI-powered services more accessible to students.

India's AI Ecosystem: Challenges and Opportunities

While India's AI adoption is growing rapidly, the country still faces several challenges, including a lack of skilled AI professionals, limited access to AI-powered services, and a need for more investment in AI research and development. However, these challenges also present opportunities for growth and innovation.

OpenAI's Plans for India

OpenAI has announced plans to deepen its engagement with the Indian government, with a focus on expanding access to AI across the country. The company has also signaled its intention to announce new partnerships aimed at making AI-powered services more accessible to Indian users.

The India AI Impact Summit

The India AI Impact Summit, which is expected to draw a wide cross-section of global technology and political leaders, will provide a platform for discussion and collaboration on AI-related issues. The summit will also highlight India's ambition to position itself as a central player in global AI debates.

Conclusion

India's rise as a global AI hub is a significant development that has caught the attention of AI companies and governments around the world. With over 100 million weekly active users of ChatGPT, India has become a key player in the global AI landscape. As the country continues to grow and develop its AI ecosystem, it is likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of AI.

Forward-Looking Thoughts

As AI continues to evolve and become more pervasive in our lives, it is essential that we prioritize responsible AI development and deployment. This includes ensuring that AI-powered services are accessible and affordable for all, and that they are developed and used in ways that promote social good. India's AI adoption presents both opportunities and challenges, and it is essential that we work together to ensure that the country's AI ecosystem is developed and used in ways that benefit all stakeholders.

Implications

The implications of India's AI adoption are far-reaching and multifaceted. On the one hand, the country's AI adoption presents opportunities for growth and innovation, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, and finance. On the other hand, the country's AI adoption also raises concerns about data privacy, security, and bias, as well as the potential for job displacement and social inequality.

Recommendations

To ensure that India's AI adoption is developed and used in ways that benefit all stakeholders, we recommend the following:

  1. Invest in AI education and training: Invest in programs that promote AI education and training, particularly for students and professionals who are interested in pursuing careers in AI.
  2. Develop and deploy AI-powered services responsibly: Develop and deploy AI-powered services in ways that promote social good, and that prioritize data privacy, security, and bias.
  3. Ensure access to AI-powered services: Ensure that AI-powered services are accessible and affordable for all, particularly for marginalized and underrepresented communities.
  4. Foster collaboration and cooperation: Foster collaboration and cooperation between AI companies, governments, and civil society organizations to promote responsible AI development and deployment.

By following these recommendations, we can ensure that India's AI adoption is developed and used in ways that benefit all stakeholders, and that the country's AI ecosystem is developed and used in ways that promote social good.


Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/15/india-has-100m-weekly-active-chatgpt-users-sam-altman-says/

About the Author

ZadeNor AI Team is a leading expert in AI, contributing to cutting-edge research and development in the field.