India Should Be One of the Leaders of AI Revolution

AI's Global Expansion: Sam Altman’s Strategic Tour and the Battle for the Future of AI

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is on an international tour that highlights the growing significance of AI in global markets. In 2025, his visit to India marks a pivotal moment for OpenAI, as the country is rapidly becoming its second-largest market. OpenAI's user base has tripled in India, signaling the potential of emerging markets in AI development.

Why the sudden shift in perspective? Altman, who once dismissed India's ability to build AI models cost-effectively, now acknowledges the immense potential India holds in the AI revolution. With India's market size, low-cost innovation, and growing tech ecosystem, OpenAI is poised to solidify partnerships and investments in this thriving market.

India is also pushing for the development of homegrown AI models at a fraction of the cost of Western counterparts. In a comparison to its successful space missions, India’s AI future could be equally groundbreaking—providing a cost-effective alternative to more expensive models.

However, OpenAI is facing challenges beyond just expansion. A copyright lawsuit from top Indian news agencies, accusing OpenAI of scraping content, and the rapid rise of China’s DeepMind-backed AI models are forcing Altman to navigate not only business and regulatory hurdles but also a growing divide between Western and Eastern AI powers.

As global markets scramble to embrace AI, the real challenge for OpenAI is not simply developing the best models but controlling the narrative, gaining trust from governments, and securing crucial markets. Altman’s tour underscores the urgency of these efforts as the race for AI dominance intensifies.

The future of AI may depend on who can capture the hearts of emerging markets and overcome the political and regulatory hurdles that are sure to follow. OpenAI's survival and success are no longer just about technology—they are about mastering the global conversation.