OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is expected to visit India on February 5, 2025, as per a Reuters report citing unnamed sources. His visit to New Delhi may include meetings with government officials, though his itinerary remains subject to change.
First Visit Since 2023
This will be Altman’s first visit to India since 2023, when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss AI’s role in India’s technology sector. His return comes at a crucial time as OpenAI faces legal hurdles, including a copyright lawsuit filed by Indian news agency ANI. The lawsuit accuses OpenAI of using ANI’s articles to train its AI models without compensation. Several other Indian media houses, including Hindustan Times, have also joined the case, further intensifying the legal battle.
Legal and Market Challenges
India is OpenAI’s second-largest market after the United States, making Altman’s visit particularly significant. The company is also facing copyright lawsuits in the U.S., with major publishers like The New York Times taking legal action over similar claims of unauthorized content usage.
Adding to OpenAI’s challenges, Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has recently gained traction, surpassing ChatGPT as the top free app on Apple’s U.S. App Store. This unexpected competition has triggered a tech stock downturn, increasing pressure on OpenAI.
India’s Growing AI Influence
Altman’s visit underscores India’s importance in the global AI landscape. As the country strengthens its AI regulations and investments, OpenAI’s ability to navigate legal disputes and market competition will be key to its future expansion in the region.