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Why OpenAI, Google, and Perplexity Give Free AI Services in India
This week, millions in India get free ChatGPT’s new, low-cost "Go" AI chatbot for a full year. OpenAI makes this move soon after Google and Perplexity AI announced similar plans. These tech firms tie up with top Indian mobile companies to give users free or low-price access to AI tools.
Partnerships with Indian Telecom Giants
Perplexity AI works with Airtel, India’s second-big mobile firm. Google works with Reliance Jio, the largest telecom operator in the country. These deals let companies add AI tools to mobile data packs with little extra cost.
A Bet on India’s Digital Future
Analysts say free offers aim to keep users for a long time. Tarun Pathak, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, tells the BBC, "The plan is to get Indians hooked on generative AI before asking them to pay."
India is a strong market. Over 900 million people use the Internet here. Most of them are under 24. In India, rules do not block foreign tech companies. Firms see a chance to get millions of new users. They use user activity to train and boost their AI models.
Large Online Population and Data Use
India has some of the cheapest data. Many Indians use mobile Internet often. Young people use smartphones for work, chat, and fun. India stands as one of the highest data users in the world.
Pathak adds, "Tying these AI tools to data plans gives a big chance. The more Indians use these apps, the more data companies get. This data helps improve AI model work in generative AI."
Experts note that India’s mix of languages will lead to many ways to use AI. This mix may help tech firms learn new uses that benefit users everywhere.
Privacy and Rules
Free AI tools help users but also bring data issues. Tech analyst Prasanto K Roy says, "Most users trade data for ease or free service. But this trend demands stronger rule checks."
India does not yet have a special AI rulebook. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 may handle digital safety, but it does not focus on AI. Some experts see that when this law starts, it could be one of the best digital privacy laws.
By contrast, the European Union makes strict rules for AI and data. The EU asks for clear rules and checks. South Korea marks AI-made content and holds companies to standards. These rules make it harder to give free AI services at scale.
The Way Ahead: Balancing New Tech and Rules
Experts think India now needs light rules that help growth. At the same time, users must know data risks. Roy says rules must grow along with new signs of harm.
For now, free or low-cost AI services try to copy India’s earlier plan. India once got millions of users with low-price data plans. Even if few free users later pay, it is still a big market.
"In a country as large as India, even 5% of free users who pay count," says Pathak.
Conclusion
India’s large market, open rules, young crowd, and heavy data use give tech firms a chance to lead early with free AI services. While users gain today, more work on privacy rules and user care will be needed as AI grows in daily digital life.
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