OpenAI has enlisted the support of Rishi Jaitly, former head of Twitter India, as a senior advisor to facilitate discussions with the government on AI policy, according to exclusive information. The company is also exploring the establishment of a local team in India. Sources suggest that Jaitly, who played a crucial role in navigating OpenAI through India’s policy and regulatory landscape, assumed the advisory role after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s visit to New Delhi, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While there is no official confirmation of Jaitly’s employment, he is actively advising the company on building connections in India. Jaitly, with a background that includes leadership roles at Google and Twitter, has been involved in the Indian tech ecosystem.
Despite lacking an official presence in India, OpenAI has received trademark approval this month. The company has not made any formal announcements about its plans in the country, even after Altman’s positive meeting with Modi. OpenAI’s VP of Global Affairs, Anna Makanju, is scheduled to speak at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence summit in Delhi, with Jaitly reportedly assisting in her participation. OpenAI’s leadership recently underwent changes, with Altman and board president Greg Brockman initially leaving the company before returning with a restructured board.
Altman’s remarks during a June visit to New Delhi sparked controversy when he commented on the challenges of building foundational models with a $10 million budget, leading to backlash from Indian entrepreneurs. Altman later clarified his statement, emphasizing the potential for Indian startups to make unique contributions to the world. Despite critics pointing to India’s perceived lag in AI development due to funding constraints, others argue that the ecosystem is still in its early stages, with startups like Sarvam securing significant funding.
With India seen as a key market for growth, OpenAI is yet to disclose any formal investment in the country. The company, now with a more aligned board, is focused on regulatory efforts as a crucial step in its commercial push. Indian officials have expressed a commitment to AI development without strict regulations, seeking international collaboration to establish a framework focused on safety and trust. Unlike OpenAI, Microsoft, its major investor and strategic partner with a board observer seat, has a strong presence in India, making significant investments and maintaining a sizable workforce.
OpenAI has yet to respond to requests for comment on these developments.
