On 28 October, OpenAI declared that starting on November 4, ChatGPT Go will be free for a year for all Indian users. The package, which now costs INR 399 a month, will be made available as part of a temporary promotion that takes place in conjunction with the company’s first DevDay Exchange event in Bengaluru.
Since ChatGPT Go was first introduced in India a few months ago, the firm has been inspired by the ingenuity and uptake of its users, said Nick Turley, Vice-President and Head of ChatGPT. To assist more people access and benefit from cutting-edge AI, the company is making ChatGPT Go freely available for a year ahead of its first DevDay Exchange event in India. “We’re excited to see the amazing things our users will build, learn, and achieve with these tools,” Turley stated.
Free Subscription also Available for Existing ChatGPT Go Subscribers
According to OpenAI, the free-access offer’s sign-up period will begin on November 4. The 12-month promotion will also apply to current ChatGPT Go members in India; further information will be available soon. Powered by OpenAI’s GPT-5 model, ChatGPT Go is the company’s newly released subscription tier that gives customers more access to premium services like longer memory, more picture generation, higher message limits, and expanded file and image uploads.
ChatGPT Go was released in August 2025 in response to Indian users’ desire for more reasonably priced access to cutting-edge features. India’s paid ChatGPT user base more than doubled in the first month after its debut. Since then, the service has grown to almost 90 markets worldwide.
India a Massive Market for ChatGPT
India is one of ChatGPT’s fastest-growing and second-largest markets. Today, millions of individuals utilise ChatGPT every day for learning, productivity, and creativity. These users include professionals, students, and developers.
According to OpenAI, the free-access campaign demonstrates its “India-first” stance and advances the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to increase indigenous innovation capability, promote digital inclusiveness, and increase access to artificial intelligence tools. In order to encourage responsible AI use and skill development across the country, the company is also collaborating with government programmes, educational institutions, and civil society groups under the IndiaAI Mission.
Quick Shots
•On October 28, OpenAI announced that ChatGPT Go will be free
for one year for all Indian users starting November 4.
•The subscription, usually priced at INR 399 per month, is now
part of a special promotional offer tied to OpenAI’s first DevDay Exchange
event in Bengaluru.
•The 12-month complimentary plan applies to both new and
existing ChatGPT Go subscribers in India.
•More details on sign-up and activation will be shared by OpenAI
soon.
•The offer begins November 4, 2025.
•ChatGPT Go was launched in August 2025 following strong demand
for affordable AI access.
Alphabet’s market value plummeted by $150 billion on 21 October as a result of OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-powered web browser. This was one of the biggest one-day market reactions to a tech product launch this year. A mysterious six-second movie showcasing browser tabs was uploaded to X to make the announcement.
CEO Sam Altman then said during a livestream that the browser is “a rare once-a-decade opportunity to rethink what a browser can be about.” Within hours following OpenAI’s statement, Alphabet shares dropped as much as 4.8% to $246.15, but they recovered considerably to settle down 2.4% at $250.46.
OpenAI Directly Locking Horns with Google
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, positioned Atlas as more than just a rival to Chrome but as a revolutionary reinvention of web browsing. Nevertheless, it shares the Chromium core technology with Google Chrome. Atlas integrates ChatGPT directly into every webpage, removing the need for tab switching and copy-paste enquiries. It is now available on macOS, with mobile and Windows versions on the horizon.
The browser’s defining feature is “agent mode”, in which AI uses your keyboard and cursor to perform intricate tasks like researching things, booking flights, and even editing documents while you watch or move on. Although free users can still use the basic browser, this capability is initially only available to Plus and Pro members. During the broadcast, Altman said, “We think AI represents a rare once-a-decade opportunity to rethink what a browser can be,” with programmers who had previously worked on Chrome and Firefox at his sides.
Google Vs OpenAI Who will Dominate Web Browser Sector in Future?
Market share for browsers is just one aspect of the stakes. Since AI answer engines provide direct answers rather than ad-filled results pages, they pose a challenge to Google’s whole business model, which depends on search advertising for the majority of its revenue. OpenAI has a sizeable existing audience that is prepared to move, with 800 million weekly ChatGPT users. Google isn’t sitting still; last month, it just escaped a court-ordered split of Chrome after integrating Gemini AI across the browser. Investors will be examining if AI competition is already undermining Google’s search dominance as third-quarter earnings draw near on October 29.
Quick Shots
•Alphabet’s
market value fell by $150B on 21 October after OpenAI launched ChatGPT Atlas.
•OpenAI
released an AI-powered browser integrating ChatGPT directly into every
webpage.
•Sam
Altman called it a “once-a-decade opportunity to rethink what a browser can
be about.”
•Alphabet
shares dropped 4.8% intraday, closing down 2.4% at $250.46.
•Atlas
includes “agent mode,” letting AI perform tasks like research, booking
flights, and document editing.
•Initially on macOS; mobile and
Windows versions coming soon.
As a component of the AgentKit, OpenAI has introduced the Agent Builder, which gives developers the means to create agentic processes, enhance performance, and create agents using a visual-first canvas.
In a blog post announcing the capability, OpenAI stated that up until now, creating agents required balancing disparate tools, including intricate orchestration without versioning, unique connectors, manual evaluation pipelines, timely tweaking, and weeks of frontend work prior to launch. Developers can now more quickly integrate agentic UIs using new building pieces and graphically design workflows with AgentKit.
Features of OpenAI’s Agent Builder
The drag-and-drop functionality of the Agent Builder allows developers to design multi-agent workflows. It makes it simple for teams to test agents, see how they operate, and make adjustments. ChatKit makes it simple for developers to incorporate chat-based agents into websites or applications for conversation experiences.
These can be applied to knowledge assistants, research, onboarding, and customer service. In order to create agents on the visual canvas and integrate them into their applications using the Agents SDK for Node.js or Python, advanced users can also select Agent Builder. Reinforcement fine-tuning (RFT), which enables programmers to teach models to follow specific rules and make better decisions, is being expanded by OpenAI.
Some models already have the feature, while GPT-5 is presently under beta testing. The new function incorporates pertinent context, such as file and online searches, using the most recent AI models. In order to pull in both internal and external context, it may also link to well-known corporate programmes and MCP servers.
OpenAI’s Connector Registry
Additionally, OpenAI unveiled the Connector Registry, which aids businesses in managing data across various workspaces and applications, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint. Guardrails, a security layer that stops agents from disclosing private information or performing dangerous actions, was developed by OpenAI to keep agents safe.
Guardrails to identify jailbreaks, implement personalised security measures in the Canvas, conceal personally identifiable information, and more are integrated into the Agent Builder. All developers have access to the Evals capabilities, and Agent Builder is presently under beta testing. Standard API pricing includes the new tool.
Quick
Shots
•Part of AgentKit, Agent Builder enables developers
to create AI agents using a visual-first canvas.
•Drag-and-drop interface allows multi-agent workflow
design, testing, and adjustments without complex orchestration.
•Easily add chat-based agents for knowledge
assistants, customer service, research, and onboarding.
•Supports Agent SDK for Node.js/Python and
Reinforcement Fine-Tuning (RFT) for better decision-making.
•Agents can access internal and external data,
including files, online searches, and corporate systems.
•Manages data across Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft
Teams, SharePoint, and more.
Nvidia’s market dominance will be challenged by the five-year agreement as OpenAI prepares to implement AMD’s new MI450 chips. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su during a hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in Washington in May.
In one of the most direct challenges to industry leader Nvidia to date, OpenAI and chip designer Advanced Micro Devices announced a multibillion-dollar collaboration to work together on AI data centres that will run on AMD processors. As per the agreement, OpenAI agreed to buy six gigawatts of AMD CPUs, beginning with the MI450 chip the following year.
The manufacturer of ChatGPT will purchase the chips directly or via its partners in cloud computing. In an interview on Sunday, Lisa Su, the head of AMD, stated that the deal will generate tens of billions of dollars in new revenue for the chip company over the next five years. AMD stated that the proposal costs tens of billions of dollars per gigawatt of computing capacity, while the two companies did not reveal the estimated total cost.
AMD’s Biggest Deal Till Now
The agreement is AMD’s largest victory in its attempt to challenge Nvidia’s hegemony in the AI chip market. AMD hasn’t had much of an impact on the rapidly expanding market for the more expensive supercomputing chips required by sophisticated AI systems, despite the fact that its processors are extensively used for gaming, in personal computers, and in conventional data centre servers. Inference functions—the calculations that enable AI applications like chatbots to reply to user enquiries—will be performed by OpenAI using AMD CPUs.
In a joint interview with Su, OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman stated that the demand for inference computing has increased dramatically as the abundance of huge language models and other tools has increased. In a joint interview with Su, Altman stated, “It’s hard to overstate how difficult it’s become” to get enough computing power. “It takes some time, but we want it rapidly, he added.
According to the two CEOs, the agreement will unite their businesses and provide them with incentives to invest in the AI infrastructure growth. Both businesses benefit, according to Su, who added, “I’m glad that OpenAI’s incentives are tied to AMD’s success and vice versa.”
Nvidia to Face Tougher Challenges in Future
Although Nvidia is still the chip of choice for AI businesses, it is up against competition from nearly every industry segment. AI chips are designed and sold by cloud giants like Google and Amazon, while OpenAI recently inked a $10 billion agreement with Broadcom to develop its own proprietary chip.
Next year, Nvidia will release its eagerly awaited Vera Rubin processor, which is expected to be more than twice as powerful as its current iteration, the Grace Blackwell. In the second half of next year, OpenAI will start running its AI models on a 1-gigawatt MI450 chip.
Altman stated that as demand for AI services—as well as the associated processing and infrastructure requirements—is expected to greatly exceed supply, the future of many businesses will become more intertwined.
Quick
Shots
•OpenAI and AMD sign a five-year multibillion-dollar
deal.
•Build AI data centers powered by AMD chips to
challenge Nvidia.
As a sign of the increasing need for artificial intelligence infrastructure, Nvidia has committed to investing up to $100 billion in OpenAI.
The agreement, one of the biggest in the AI industry, is anticipated to assist OpenAI in increasing its processing capacity through the construction of new data centres furnished with cutting-edge Nvidia chips.
The two businesses announced on 22 September that they had signed a statement of intent to proceed with the proposal, according to Bloomberg. The investment will be made in phases, beginning with $10 billion when OpenAI uses its first gigawatt of processing capacity, according to people familiar with the talks. In exchange, Nvidia will also get stock in OpenAI.
Initiative Aims to Create Data Centre with Capacity of 10GW
In order to train and operate OpenAI’s massive AI models, the initiative intends to build data centres with a combined capacity of 10 gigawatts. The newest processors from Nvidia, which are now the most sought-after chips in the AI sector, will be used in these centres. Everything begins with compute, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who outlined the significance of the partnership.
The joint company will use what “we are building with Nvidia to both create new AI breakthroughs and empower people and businesses with them at scale.” Compute infrastructure will be the foundation of the future economy. For OpenAI, the move comes at a critical moment. Almost 700 million individuals use its well-known chatbot, ChatGPT, each week.
Large amounts of processing power are needed to run these services, and the business has previously experienced shortages during significant product launches. In the upcoming weeks, Altman has already alluded to the introduction of additional “compute-intensive” products from OpenAI, which will require even more equipment.
Nvidia Strengthening its Position Through this Partnership
The collaboration solidifies Nvidia’s position at the forefront of the AI revolution. The business has been making use of its financial resources to guarantee that its chips continue to serve as the foundation of AI systems all around the world. Nvidia could further solidify its supremacy even as rivals promote competing technologies by retaining OpenAI as a major client in spite of the latter’s desire to create its own hardware.
Although neither company has disclosed the precise timeframe for the investment, they have acknowledged that talks are in progress to reach a final deal as soon as possible. The deal’s announcement has already improved market sentiment.
In New York trade on 22 September, Nvidia’s stock increased by as much as 4%, bringing its overall gain for the year to almost 36%. Given that AI is viewed as a key driver of future growth, the quick increase demonstrates how attentive investors are to the company’s actions in this area.
Quick
Shots
•Sam Altman highlights computing power
as the foundation of tomorrow’s global economy.
•Move secures Nvidia’s role as the
backbone of AI systems worldwide.
•Despite exploring its own hardware,
OpenAI remains reliant on Nvidia’s chips.
•Nvidia’s stock jumped 4% on Sept 22,
with a 36% gain year-to-date.
OpenAI has sealed a $1.1 billion all-stock deal to acquire Statsig, a Seattle-based product experimentation startup, in one of the boldest tech shake-ups of 2025. At the center of this landmark move is Vijaye Raji, the Indian-origin founder of Statsig, who is stepping into a powerful new role as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Applications at OpenAI.
With this appointment, Raji is set to drive the engineering vision behind OpenAI’s most celebrated products: ChatGPT and Codex, while also strengthening the systems, infrastructure, and reliability that keep the company’s AI tools running at scale. In this article, we will cover how Vijaye Raji went from Pondicherry to Silicon Valley, built a unicorn from scratch, and is now building the future of AI applications at OpenAI.
Vijaye Raji – Biography
Full Name
Vijaye Raji
Birthplace
Puducherry, India
Education
Bachelor of Engineering from Pondicherry University
Profession
Engineer & Entrepreneur
Notable Roles
Founder & CEO of Statsig, Former VP and Head of Entertainment at Meta, Former Principal Software Design Engineer at Microsoft
Known For
Building Statsig into a unicorn and steering its $1.1 billion acquisition by OpenAI
Vijaye Raji was born and raised in Puducherry, India, where his fascination with technology began at a young age. He went on to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Pondicherry University, graduating in 1999. His strong academic foundation and problem-solving mindset set the stage for a career that would eventually span the biggest names in tech.
Soon after graduation, Raji moved to the United States to join Microsoft in Washington. He spent nearly 10 years at the tech giant, contributing to some of its most widely used tools. His work spanned across products like the Windows Application Framework, SQL Server Modeling Language/Runtime, and the Visual Studio Editor, technologies that continue to shape software development workflows today.
As highlighted in the Statsig blog, this period was crucial in shaping his approach to building scalable systems and reliable developer tools, lessons that he would carry into his entrepreneurial journey years later.
Vijaye Raji – Career Beginnings
In 2011, Raji made the leap to Facebook (now Meta), marking the next big phase of his career. Over the course of a decade, he climbed the corporate ladder steadily, taking on diverse leadership roles. Starting as a Software Engineer, he eventually became Vice President, leading divisions such as Gaming, Entertainment, and Facebook Seattle.
His journey at Meta saw him wear multiple hats: Head of Gaming, Head of Facebook Seattle, and finally, VP and Head of Entertainment. In these roles, Raji was instrumental in scaling consumer-facing products like Messenger for Windows, Marketplace, and Groups Commerce, while also shaping Facebook’s push into gaming and content ecosystems.
After decades of experience at Microsoft and Facebook (Meta), Vijaye Raji is now stepping into a new chapter as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Applications at OpenAI, following the acquisition of Statsig. In this role, Raji will report directly to Fidji Simo, CEO of OpenAI’s Applications division. OpenAI described Raji as a “hands-on builder and trusted leader”, noting that he will head product engineering for ChatGPT and Codex, overseeing core systems, infrastructure, and product integrity.
The company added: “His experience as founder and CEO of Statsig, and a decade leading large-scale consumer engineering at Meta, brings both entrepreneurial vision and operating expertise to scale our next generation of products.”
Raji’s appointment represents a blend of startup agility and enterprise-level engineering expertise, positioning him to drive innovation while ensuring the reliability and scalability of OpenAI’s flagship tools.
Vijaye Raji – Statement On Joining the OpenAI Journey
“Joining OpenAI as CTO of Applications is an extraordinary opportunity to bring my experience scaling consumer and enterprise products to a mission I deeply believe in: advancing AI in ways that are capable of solving hard problems, reliable, and truly beneficial to people everywhere. The journey with Statsig has been deeply gratifying, leading me to this moment and giving me conviction that we will continue helping teams ship better software every day.”
Vijaye Raji’s Contribution to OpenAI’s Next Chapter
As the founder of Statsig, Raji had built a culture of rapid experimentation, data-driven decision-making, and scalable infrastructure. Now, those same principles are set to become the backbone of OpenAI’s applications strategy.
In a blog post, the company made it clear that Statsig will continue to operate independently out of Seattle, ensuring continuity for its customers. But with Raji stepping in as CTO of Applications, the real value lies in how his engineering mindset will shape the growth of products like ChatGPT and Codex. His expertise in scaling consumer platforms, from his days at Meta to building Statsig into a unicorn, positions him perfectly to strengthen OpenAI’s push into mainstream adoption. Raji’s arrival also complements OpenAI’s broader leadership reshuffle. While Fidji Simo now oversees the entire Applications division as CEO, and Srinivas Narayanan takes charge of B2B products, it is Raji who will design and oversee the engineering foundation that powers OpenAI’s flagship tools. His focus on reliability, experimentation, and continuous optimization ensures that OpenAI isn’t just launching flashy features but building long-term, scalable systems.
The acquisition highlights how critical Raji’s contributions will be. By layering his experimentation-first approach into OpenAI’s consumer ecosystem, the company gains more than technology; it gains a builder who knows how to turn products into platforms. With Raji at the helm of engineering, OpenAI is signaling its intent to not only lead in AI research but also dominate the ecosystem of applications built on top of it.
Meanwhile, Kevin Weil, OpenAI’s former Chief Product Officer, is moving back into the research domain as Vice President of AI for Science, where he will lead a new research-focused team alongside Chief Research Officer Mark Chen. With Weil’s transition, his former product organisation, including Nick Turley, who heads ChatGPT, will now report to Simo.
These changes underline OpenAI’s strategy of treating applications as a standalone pillar, with dedicated leadership for both consumer and enterprise markets. Within this restructured team, Raji’s role as CTO of Applications ensures that the engineering backbone is strong, enabling the company to scale its AI products reliably while continuing to innovate.
OpenAI to Retain Statsig Employees
As part of the $1.1 billion acquisition, all Statsig employees will transition to OpenAI, while the platform will continue operating independently out of its Seattle office, ensuring uninterrupted service for existing customers. Reflecting on the deal, Vijaye Raji said, “Over the past 4.5 years, we’ve built something special at Statsig: a platform that the world’s best technology companies rely on to build fast and make smart decisions.”
On X, Raji added that joining OpenAI presents an opportunity to expand Statsig’s mission, while maintaining continuity for current clients. He described the move as: “An extraordinary opportunity to bring my experience scaling consumer and enterprise products to a mission I deeply believe in.”
With Raji now at the helm as CTO of Applications, the integration promises not only to bring Statsig’s technology into OpenAI but also to infuse his vision and engineering expertise into the company’s flagship products like ChatGPT and Codex.
Vijaye Raji is an Indian-origin engineer and entrepreneur from Puducherry, India. He is the founder and former CEO of Statsig and has previously held senior roles at Microsoft and Meta. In 2025, he was appointed as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Applications at OpenAI.
How much did OpenAI pay to acquire Statsig?
OpenAI sealed a $1.1 billion all-stock deal to acquire Statsig in 2025, making it one of the year’s most significant tech acquisitions.
What is Vijaye Raji’s educational background?
Vijaye Raji earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Pondicherry University.
Nowadays, digital classrooms are starting to replace traditional classrooms as technology is stepping in to take over what were once considered impossible to bridge. Amid this transformation, but little did they know, OpenAI had made a bold move by appointing Raghav Gupta as the Head of Education for India and the Asia-Pacific region.
However, this isn’t just another executive hire; it’s a signal of how seriously global AI leaders are now looking at India as a hub for educational innovation.
Raghav Gupta is also known for his track record of scaling EdTech platforms and driving meaningful learning initiatives that bring a unique blend of vision and execution to the table. His appointment comes at a time when millions of students are already experimenting with AI tools, and educators are seeking smarter, more efficient ways to teach.
By combining OpenAI’s advanced technology with his deep understanding of the regional education landscape, this initiative promises to redefine how students learn, teachers teach, and institutions adopt AI-driven solutions.
BE in Mechanical Engineering from the Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, GMT in Business of Fashion from the National Institute of Fashion Technology & MBA from INSEAD
Industry Experience
EdTech and Technology
Raghav Gupta – Early Education
Raghav Gupta’s academic journey showcases versatility and excellence, which have made his career in education and technology. He began with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, where he built a solid foundation in analytical thinking and problem-solving. He then expanded his skill set by pursuing postgraduate studies in Fashion Business Management at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, blending creativity with strategic business insight.
To gain global exposure and sharpen his leadership skills, Gupta earned an MBA from INSEAD, France, where he was honored with the prestigious Syngenta Scholarship for Emerging Country Leadership. This diverse academic background has equipped him with a unique combination of technical, creative, and strategic expertise, enabling him to navigate complex challenges and drive innovation in the education and EdTech space.
He further gained his expertise with specialized courses in Game Theory at Brown University and Finance at Emory University, reflecting his passion for lifelong learning and his ability to navigate diverse disciplines with ease.
Raghav Gupta – Career Achievements
Raghav Gupta has been at the forefront of education, technology, and consulting, taking on leadership roles that span India, Southeast Asia, and Europe, for over two decades. Most recently, as Managing Director for India and Asia Pacific at Coursera, he spearheaded growth strategies that opened doors for millions of learners, empowering both consumers and enterprises to access world-class education online.
Before Coursera, Gupta made his mark as President of Technopak Advisors and Principal at Booz & Company (Strategy&), where he partnered with leading companies in retail, fashion, FMCG, and education to shape their growth journeys. His entrepreneurial spirit also shone through during his time as India Country Manager at BlaBlaCar, where he successfully scaled the inter-city carpooling platform in one of the world’s most competitive mobility markets.
Raghav Gupta’s entrepreneurial spirit came to life with Futuresense, an AI-driven skilling venture he founded to prepare India’s workforce for the future. By equipping professionals with next-generation capabilities, he showcased how innovation and impact can go hand in hand.
Blending corporate leadership, consulting acumen, and entrepreneurial drive, Gupta is uniquely positioned to lead OpenAI’s education initiatives across India and the Asia Pacific. His vision goes beyond businesses; it’s about building ecosystems that make advanced education and AI skills accessible to millions.
At OpenAI, his mission is clear: transform classrooms with AI, fuel breakthrough research, and place India at the heart of global AI-powered educational innovation. With his deep academic grounding, professional expertise, and forward-looking strategy, Raghav Gupta is helping to build the future of learning itself in the region.
Raghav Gupta – Driving AI Innovation in Classrooms Across India & APAC
OpenAI has appointed Raghav Gupta, the former Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at Coursera, to lead its education initiatives across India and the broader Asia-Pacific region, signalling a major push into AI-powered education in one of its most important international markets.
The appointment was confirmed by OpenAI’s Vice-President for Education, Leah Belsky, during the OpenAI Education Summit in New Delhi. He brings nearly eight years of experience at Coursera, where he oversaw operations across India and Asia-Pacific, before leaving the company earlier this year.
This move aligns with OpenAI’s ongoing localisation strategy in India, which includes opening its first office in New Delhi, ramping up local recruitment, and posting multiple job openings. Currently, Pragya Misra is the sole employee in India, heading public policy and partnerships.
In line with its commitment to advancing AI in education, OpenAI has awarded a $500,000 research grant to IIT-Madras to explore how AI can enhance learning outcomes and teaching practices. This initiative reflects the company’s broader vision of fostering innovation and transforming classrooms across India.
Raghav Gupta’s Statement – Starting a New Chapter
In a social media post announcing his new role, Gupta shared:
“Some milestones feel bigger than others. Today I’m starting a new chapter as Head of Education for India and Asia Pacific at OpenAI. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on using technology to drive social impact, especially in education.
ChatGPT is now one of the world’s most popular learning tools, particularly in India, where millions of students use it daily for homework help, exam prep, and exploring new ideas. But to make real progress, it’s crucial we work with educators and institutions to ensure AI strengthens learning, helps teachers, and meets the unique needs of India’s education system.
We took an important first step today at our inaugural India Education Summit by launching the OpenAI Learning Accelerator. Through partnerships with leading institutions, including IIT Madras, AICTE, and ARISE, this initiative will fund innovative research on AI and learning, distribute nearly half a million ChatGPT licenses to educational institutions, and deliver practical training for educators and students nationwide. This is just the beginning. Excited to start this new journey and connect with educators, students, and institutions interested in exploring how AI can positively shape the future of education.”
Raghav Gupta is the newly appointed Head of Education – India & Asia-Pacific at OpenAI, known for his leadership in scaling EdTech platforms and driving innovation in digital learning.
What was Raghav Gupta’s previous role before joining OpenAI?
Before joining OpenAI, Raghav Gupta served as Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at Coursera, where he led growth initiatives and expanded access to online education across the region.
What is Raghav Gupta’s educational background?
Raghav Gupta holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, a Postgraduate degree in Fashion Business Management from NIFT, and an MBA from INSEAD, France.
Later this year, OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, plans to create its first corporate office in India. The artificial intelligence company’s official presence in a significant growing market will be established by the New Delhi office. In a statement released on 22 August, OpenAI announced that it has started hiring to grow its local staff.
Pragya Misra, who joined OpenAI last year and is currently in charge of partnerships and public policy in India, is the only employee of the Microsoft-backed company.
Sam Altman on India’s AI Potential
Opening the company’s first office and assembling a local team is a crucial first step in OpenAI’s commitment to lowering the cost of advanced AI nationwide and developing AI for and with India, according to a statement released by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
He went on to say that India has an amazing amount of AI excitement and possibility. With outstanding tech talent, a top-notch developer environment, and robust government support through the IndiaAI Mission, India has everything it needs to become a worldwide leader in AI.
India Becomes ChatGPT’s Second-Largest Market
After the US, ChatGPT’s second-largest user base is in India. Targeting the nearly one billion internet users in the most populous country in the world, the business this week introduced a more reasonably priced monthly plan at $4.60. Along with other premium paid subscriptions, it also provides a basic free plan.
According to OpenAI’s recently disclosed market data on 22 August, the country with the highest number of student users on ChatGPT is India, where the number of weekly active users has doubled in the last 12 months. In the last year alone, ChatGPT’s weekly active user base in India has grown by more than four times.
With a larger footprint and more employees on the ground, OpenAI could expand collaborations with Indian companies, governments, and developers and create tools and features tailored to the Indian market, which would lower the cost of advanced AI and make it available to everyone in the nation.
The expansion also highlights OpenAI’s efforts to assist in creating early laws in a fast-evolving field of technology. For multinational tech companies, the most populous country in the world offers enormous opportunities, but it’s also a market that can occasionally be challenging to manage.
OpenAI’s Roadmap for IndiaAI Mission
According to reports, the business has also pledged to collaborate with the federal government on the $1.2 billion IndiaAI Mission, which aims to develop both large and small language models for the area. India’s emerging leadership in digital innovation and AI adoption is reflected in OpenAI’s decision to enter the country. India is in a great position to spearhead the next wave of AI-led transformation thanks to significant investments in enterprise-scale solutions, AI expertise, and digital public infrastructure, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Partnerships with Government and Businesses
“As part of the IndiaAI Mission, we are building the ecosystem for trusted and inclusive AI, and we welcome OpenAI’s partnership in advancing this vision to ensure the benefits of AI reach every citizen,” said the minister. OpenAI’s technologies are already being used by regional companies and organisations around India to address important issues, including AI-powered agricultural services, efficient hiring procedures, and efficient governance tools.
In the future, this month OpenAI will have its inaugural Education Summit in India. In India, OpenAI will have its inaugural Developer Day later this year, bringing together the dynamic community of developers, entrepreneurs, and businesses influencing AI’s future.
Quick
Shots
•OpenAI to set up its first corporate
office in New Delhi later this year.
•Company begins recruiting to expand
its local India team.
•Sees India as a hub of tech talent,
developer ecosystem, and AI opportunities.
•OpenAI to partner with the government
on the $1.2B IndiaAI Mission, supporting inclusive AI growth.
For consumers in India only, OpenAI has launched a new subscription package called ChatGPT Go. This package, which costs INR 399 a month, is one of the most economical options offered by the company and is intended to give more people access to the well-liked ChatGPT services at a lower starting price.
What is ChatGPT Go Plan?
The Go plan offers extended access to OpenAI’s flagship model, GPT-5, in addition to all the capabilities found in the free tier. Higher message limitations, more daily image generation, more file uploads, and greater access to sophisticated data analysis tools like Python are all benefits that subscribers will receive.
Additionally, compared to free accounts, the plan doubles the amount of memory available, enabling longer conversational context preservation.
Features of ChatGPT Go vs Free & Plus Plans
According to OpenAI, the plan is intended for consumers who desire greater flexibility without having to pay the extra fees associated with Plus or Pro.
The Go tier maintains the emphasis on core usage and affordability, whereas Plus, which costs INR 1,999 per month, enables legacy models like GPT-4o and capabilities like deep research, connections, and Sora movie creation. In India, ChatGPT Go is being rolled out gradually.
How to Buy ChatGPT Go Subscription in India?
By signing into their ChatGPT account, choosing the profile symbol, and going to “Upgrade Plan”, users can verify their eligibility.
When the plan is available, they can select “Try Go” to sign up. Go features will be available to subscribers on several platforms, such as the ChatGPT mobile apps and via 1-800-ChatGPT on WhatsApp. API usage, however, is still beyond the scope of this subscription and will incur additional fees.
Payment Options: UPI & Credit Card
For the Go tier, OpenAI has authorised local payment methods. Following the company’s previous switch to INR-based pricing for subscriptions in the nation, users can now pay using credit cards or UPI in Indian rupees.
Users can unsubscribe at any time, and subscriptions are invoiced on a monthly basis. The announcement follows OpenAI’s recent price changes to its current plans in India, where Plus now costs INR 1,999 and Pro costs INR 19,900 per month. The Go plan, on the other hand, is marketed as a reasonably priced starting point for people who wish to increase their access to AI technologies without committing to more expensive levels.
According to OpenAI, Go will not support legacy models, connectors, or Sora. Rather, it emphasises cost-effective multimodal features and increased access to GPT-5. Prior to expanding into other markets, the organisation intends to analyse the comments received from India.
Quick
Shots
•OpenAI introduces ChatGPT Go
subscription exclusively for India.
•INR 399/month – most affordable
ChatGPT plan so far.
•Powered by GPT-5, unlike Free
(limited access) and Plus (GPT-4o, legacy models).
Mira Murati, the former chief technology officer of OpenAI, is in the news after it was reported that, despite promising an employee $1 billion, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta company was unable to recruit staff from her organisation. According to a Wired story, Murati’s employees at Thinking Machines Lab have rejected enormous offers from Meta.
Meta’s $1B Offer to Murati’s Team Falls Flat
The US IT titan was trying to fill positions at Meta Superintelligence Labs, its new AI business. According to the article, Meta reached out to more than a dozen workers at Murati’s firm, which was only one year old. While others were given $200 to $500 million in compensation over time, one employee received a $1 billion offer. But no one took advantage of Meta’s alluring offer.
Zuckerberg’s Direct Outreach Signals Urgency
The story claims that Zuckerberg personally contacted a few of the Thinking Machines Lab staff members. Even though Thinking Machines Lab is a new firm and hasn’t released any products yet, this development showed how much Murati’s team believes in her.
At the moment, it is worth $12 billion. The former CTO of OpenAI has been in the tech sector for more than ten years. The 36-year-old engineer from Albania is well-known for heading up product development teams for programs like ChatGPT and DALL-E.
She is renowned for spearheading the design, development, and introduction of automotive goods like the Model X at Tesla Motors. She was formerly also connected to Ultraleap (formerly known as Leap Motion).
Mira Murati: From OpenAI CTO to AI Visionary
In November 2023, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was overthrown in a spectacular coup, and Murati was appointed as the company’s acting CEO. She was one of the executives that expressed disapproval of Altman’s management style.
Remarkably, Altman was given back his position as CEO a few days later. She quit OpenAI in September 2024 to start her own business in the digital industry. In 2024, Time named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in AI. For “being a leading figure shaping the business world’s increasingly AI-centric future,” she was also named one of the Fortune 100 Most Powerful Women in Commerce for 2023.
Meta’s AI Ambitions: Shengjia Zhao Joins the Race
Shengjia Zhao, a co-creator of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, will be the chief scientist of Meta Superintelligence Labs, according to a statement released by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on 25 July. The $14 billion investment in Scale AI is the centrepiece of Zuckerberg’s multibillion-dollar hiring spree in artificial intelligence in recent weeks.
Zuckerberg revealed a brand-new company in June dubbed Meta Superintelligence Labs, which is composed of leading AI developers and researchers. Although the June message included Zhao’s name among other new staffers, Zuckerberg said that Zhao co-founded the lab and “has been our lead scientist from day one.”
