OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has praised India as a key player in the artificial intelligence (AI) space. He revealed that the number of Indian users for OpenAI’s services has tripled in the past year. Altman, who is currently visiting India, shared his thoughts on AI’s future, OpenAI’s plans, and the concept of artificial general intelligence (AGI) in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times Editor-in-Chief R Sukumar.
India: A Rising AI Market
Altman emphasized India’s importance as a major market for AI. The rapid growth in Indian users reflects the country’s increasing adoption of AI technologies. Altman’s visit underscores OpenAI’s commitment to expanding its presence in India and supporting its AI ecosystem.
Addressing Competition from DeepSeek
A key topic in the discussion was the rise of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI model that has recently drawn global attention. Reports suggest that DeepSeek sets a benchmark for Chinese firms, positioning itself as a strong competitor in the AI industry. However, Altman expressed skepticism over claims that DeepSeek was developed at a significantly lower cost, stating, “I was extremely skeptical of the cost number. It was like, there are some zeros missing.”
However, he acknowledged DeepSeek as a strong competitor, adding, “It’s a good model, and we’ll need to make better models, which we will do.” This highlights the competitive nature of the AI industry and OpenAI’s focus on continuous innovation.
OpenAI’s Counter to DeepSeek
Recognizing the competitive challenge posed by DeepSeek, OpenAI has introduced a new ChatGPT tool to counter China’s DeepSeek. This move reflects OpenAI’s strategy to enhance its AI capabilities and maintain its leadership in the AI space.
The Future of AI in India
Altman’s visit and remarks highlight India’s growing influence in the global AI landscape. With a large tech-savvy population and increasing investments in AI, India is poised to become a hub for AI development and adoption. OpenAI’s plans to expand in the country could further accelerate this growth.
