Sam Altman Backs India as Future “Full Stack AI Leader” Ahead of Summit

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman endorses India’s AI ambitions with 100 million weekly active users, largest student user base globally, and signals deeper collaboration through IndiaAI Mission.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described India as a potential “full-stack AI leader” and confirmed plans to expand partnerships with the Government of India ahead of the Global AI Impact Summit 2026. Reported by The Times of India, Altman revealed India has around 100 million weekly active users of OpenAI tools.

India now represents OpenAI’s second-largest user base globally, with the largest student user base in the world. The company’s approach is to build AI “in India, with India, and for India,” making tools accessible regardless of income, education, or technical background.

OpenAI opened its first office in Delhi last August and has trained 200+ nonprofit leaders across four cities to use ChatGPT for operational and social impact work. New partnership announcements with the Indian government are expected soon.

Altman praised the government’s IndiaAI Mission, approved in March 2024 with an outlay of INR 10,371.92 crore, calling it a model aimed at scaling AI to “hundreds of millions” rather than remaining limited to elite users. He outlined a framework emphasizing access, adoption, and capability as essential for ensuring AI benefits reach beyond early adopters.

India combines three rare advantages: deep technical talent, a coordinated national AI strategy, and widespread public optimism about technology-led growth, he noted. However, Altman warned of a “capability overhang,” a gap between having AI tools and knowing how to use them effectively.