OpenAI confirms 100 million weekly ChatGPT users in India ahead of AI Impact Summit 2026 (Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash)
India’s AI moment has officially arrived.
As the government kicks off the five-day AI Impact Summit 2026 India starting today, global tech leaders are turning their attention to India’s fast-growing digital ecosystem. Just a day before the summit opened, Sam Altman confirmed his presence in India — and shared a milestone that highlights just how massive AI adoption has become here.
ChatGPT 100 million users in India: Weekly active user base hits major milestone
That single statistic says a lot about where the country stands in the global AI race.
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India Becomes OpenAI’s Second-Largest Market
In an article published by the Times of India, Altman revealed that India has emerged as the second-largest user base for ChatGPT globally, trailing only the United States — a position the country has held for several months.
According to Altman, the momentum is unmistakable.
He highlighted that India has the highest number of students using ChatGPT worldwide, calling it a powerful signal of how young Indians are embracing AI to learn faster and upskill for the future.
He also noted that India now ranks fourth globally in usage of OpenAI’s new free research-focused AI tool, Prism — showing strong interest not just in casual AI use, but also in scientific collaboration and advanced experimentation.
Behind all of this is OpenAI, which has been steadily deepening its presence in the country.
A High-Profile Summit with Global Tech Leaders
The AI Impact Summit 2026 runs until February 20, featuring:
- Expert-led sessions
- Live exhibitions
- Keynote speeches
- Industry panels
- Startup showcases
Alongside Sam Altman, Sundar Pichai — CEO of Google — is also expected to participate, underlining how strategically important India has become for the world’s biggest tech firms.
Government officials, enterprise leaders, researchers, and startups are all gathering to discuss AI policy, innovation, infrastructure, and real-world applications — making this one of India’s most significant tech events in recent years.
Why ChatGPT Is Exploding in India
Openai’s rapid ChatGPT India growth here isn’t accidental.
Over the past year, OpenAI has taken several India-focused steps, including:
- Launching the ChatGPT Go tier in August 2025 as a low-cost plan (later made free)
- Posting multiple job openings for its first Indian office
- Announcing plans to establish operations in New Delhi
- Hiring Account Directors for Digital Natives, Large Enterprises, and Strategic clients
- Laying groundwork for future data centers in the country
These moves clearly signal OpenAI’s intent to tap into India’s massive internet-using population and fast-growing developer community.
Bigger Picture: India’s Rising Role in Global AI
With 100 million weekly ChatGPT users, millions of students experimenting with AI, and international CEOs flying in for policy-level discussions, India is no longer just a consumer of AI — it’s becoming a core driver of adoption and innovation.
The AI Impact Summit 2026 reflects that shift.
From education and research to enterprise automation and startups, India is positioning itself as one of the world’s most important AI markets — and global companies are responding accordingly.
As Altman put it simply:
“The momentum is clear.”
And judging by the numbers, India’s AI journey is only getting started.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information, official statements, and media reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, details such as user numbers, event schedules, and company plans may change. This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or professional advice. TechMitra.in is not affiliated with OpenAI or any of the companies mentioned.