India has overtaken the United States to become the world’s largest user base for ChatGPT, accounting for 13.5% of monthly active users globally, according to the latest AI Trends Report by Mary Meeker. The country also leads in mobile usage of the chatbot, ahead of the US at 8.9%, followed by Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, Pakistan, Germany, France, and Vietnam.
This marks a significant shift in the global AI adoption landscape, with emerging markets playing a central role in driving engagement with generative AI platforms like ChatGPT.
OpenAI explores India presence with data residency push
In response to India’s rapid growth in user activity, OpenAI is reportedly considering establishing a data centre in the country. The company also announced a data residency option for organisations using its APIs, ChatGPT Enterprise, and ChatGPT Edu. This would allow customer content to be stored within India—part of a broader expansion plan across Asia, including Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.
Also read: OpenAI to Acquire Windsurf for $3 Billion
OpenAI’s move is in line with growing demand for region-specific AI infrastructure and tighter control over data sovereignty. The company is expected to send representatives to the Asia-Pacific region to explore local opportunities in AI infrastructure development.
India’s creative engagement draws global attention
India’s engagement with ChatGPT has not been limited to usage alone. Trends like Studio Ghibli-style image generations using GPT-4o gained massive traction in the country, drawing attention from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. He acknowledged the wave of creative adoption from India, calling it faster than anywhere else in the world.
OpenAI’s expansion plans also tie into its broader strategy under the “OpenAI for Countries” initiative, which aims to build a unified AI stack using US chips and services globally. Altman has reiterated that he sees international alignment on AI infrastructure as critical to widespread adoption of US-based applications and services.
As generative AI tools continue to evolve, India’s position as a global leader in adoption could shape the direction of OpenAI’s strategy in the region.
