Sam Altman to visit India as AI leaders gather in New Delhi.
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Visit India Amid Major AI Summit
Introduction
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is set to visit India in mid-February, marking his first trip to the country in almost a year. The timing aligns with the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026, taking place in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, gathering a host of high-profile tech executives and industry leaders.
India AI Impact Summit 2026
The India AI Impact Summit is poised to be a landmark event in the country’s tech landscape, with participation from global leaders such as Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Google’s Sundar Pichai, and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei. Additionally, notable Indian business figures, including Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, are expected to attend. While Altman is not officially announced as a participant, sources inform that he is likely to attend key meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
OpenAI’s Strategic Meetings
TechCrunch reports that OpenAI plans to conduct private meetings during the summit, where Altman is anticipated to network with important stakeholders in the Indian tech ecosystem. An OpenAI event is also scheduled for February 19, aimed at venture capitalists and industry executives, emphasizing the company’s focus on expanding its influence in India.
US Companies Engaging with India’s Tech Ecosystem
The upcoming summit is not the only focus for U.S. companies in India. Anthropic is hosting a Developers’ Day in Bengaluru on February 16, while Nvidia plans an evening event in New Delhi. These preparations signify the rising interest of global AI companies in India’s growing enterprise market, startup culture, and developer community.
Previous Visits and Future Opportunities
Altman’s visit marks his first return to India since February 2025. He had expressed intentions of returning after OpenAI announced its office in New Delhi in August 2025, but plans for that trip fell through. His upcoming visit emphasizes the importance of India as a key growth market for American AI companies.
Growth of AI in India
India has emerged as a significant player in the AI landscape, with companies like Anthropic setting up operations in Bengaluru and forming key partnerships within the local telecom industry. Google and Perplexity have teamed up with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, respectively, to offer premium AI subscription services to millions of telecom users.
OpenAI’s Expansion in India
OpenAI has been actively expanding its footprint in India, recently hiring staff for enterprise sales, technical deployment, and legal roles focused on AI regulations. They are currently advertising job openings in major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. As ChatGPT’s biggest market in terms of downloads and the second-largest for users, India represents significant commercial potential for OpenAI. However, the company faces challenges in converting demand into paid subscriptions, leading to the rollout of a lower-priced “ChatGPT Go” plan.
Meeting Key Stakeholders
During his visit, Altman is expected to engage with tech executives and startup founders, along with government officials. This engagement aims to advance ChatGPT’s enterprise adoption while broadening its reach as a consumer product. OpenAI is involved in multiple sectors within India, including education and media, which further emphasizes its commitment.
Infrastructure Development in India
OpenAI is also considering India as a possible base for its infrastructure expansion. Last year, major tech firms like Google and Microsoft made substantial investments in India aimed at enhancing their AI and cloud services. However, challenges such as inconsistent power supply, high energy costs, and water scarcity in several regions could hinder AI infrastructure growth and increase operational costs for cloud service providers.
Opportunities for Investment
The Indian government is optimistic that the India AI Impact Summit will secure India’s position as a prime destination for large-scale AI investments. According to recent statements from the IT minister, the event could potentially attract up to $100 billion in investment. The federal government is also encouraging domestic startups to develop localized AI models, promoting self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on international systems.
Conclusion
As Sam Altman prepares for his visit to India, the upcoming India AI Impact Summit stands to serve as a pivotal moment for international AI companies looking to establish deeper roots in the burgeoning Indian tech landscape. With strong indications of investment and partnership opportunities, Altman’s presence will undoubtedly further OpenAI’s objectives while contributing to India’s ambitions in AI and technology. The synergistic relationship between Indian startups and foreign tech giants could catalyze significant developments in the region, shaping the future of AI on a global scale.
This upcoming trip is likely to highlight the evolving dynamics of the AI industry, reaffirming India’s role as a major player and a transformative landscape for innovation and investment.
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