Ahead of the Global AI Impact Summit 2026, set to begin today, February 16, at Bharat Mandapam, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has made a strong statement in support of India’s growing role in artificial intelligence. Altman said that India has all the ingredients needed to emerge as a global leader in the AI race, highlighting the country’s massive user base and fast adoption of AI tools.

India is one of OpenAI’s biggest user markets

According to Sam Altman, India is currently the second-largest user base of OpenAI after the US. Platforms like ChatGPT have seen explosive growth in the country. India reportedly has around 100 million weekly active users, making it one of the most important regions for AI adoption globally.

Altman also pointed out that India has the highest number of student users, showing how deeply AI tools are being integrated into education and learning. Additionally, India ranks fourth globally in the adoption of Prism, a free AI-powered scientific research tool, further underlining its strong engagement with advanced technologies.

“Building AI in India, with India, for India”

Sam Altman emphasized that OpenAI is fully committed to India’s AI journey. He said OpenAI’s goal is to build AI in India, with India, and for India, ensuring that advanced tools are accessible to everyone. To support this vision, OpenAI has made several AI tools freely available to the public.

It is worth noting that OpenAI opened its first India office in Delhi in 2025 and is now planning to expand its presence further in 2026, signaling long-term commitment to the Indian market.

Sam Altman’s three-pillar AI strategy

Altman also shared OpenAI’s broader AI strategy, which rests on three key pillars:

• Access: AI tools should be available to everyone, not limited to big corporations or a few countries.

• Adoption: AI must be integrated into real-world spaces such as clinics, schools, startups, and small businesses.

• Agency: People should be empowered with the skills needed to use AI creatively and drive innovation.

With strong government support, a massive talent pool, and one of the world’s largest digital user bases, Altman believes India is uniquely positioned to shape the future of artificial intelligence on a global scale.