ChatGPT is now free in that country

This initiative by OpenAI has previously been implemented in similar ways by Google and Perplexity AI. While Google collaborated with Reliance Jio, Perplexity AI partnered with Airtel to offer their artificial intelligence tools to users for free or at a discount.

Experts state that such practices are part of a long-term investment strategy rather than an act of generosity. Counterpoint Research analyst Tarun Pathak notes that this strategy targets India's young and vast user base. There are approximately 900 million internet users in the country, most of whom are under the age of 24. This situation provides a significant growth and testing ground for artificial intelligence companies.

India's affordable mobile data services and open digital market are among the other factors encouraging such initiatives. While access for foreign companies is limited in markets with strict regulations like China, India offers a more flexible environment.

However, there are also warnings that free services may carry risks regarding the privacy of user data. Technology analyst Prasanto K. Roy states that users tend to share their data for the sake of convenience and that this situation requires stronger regulations. There is currently no law in India that directly regulates artificial intelligence, but significant steps are expected in this area once the Digital Personal Data Protection Act comes into effect.

Ernst & Young consultant Mahesh Makhija states that if this law is enacted, India could become one of the world leaders in digital privacy. The current flexible legal environment allows companies like OpenAI and Google to integrate artificial intelligence tools into telecom packages. Such an approach would be more difficult to implement in countries with strict data protection laws.

Experts point out that this period of free services resembles the era when India gained millions of new users through cheap internet campaigns. Generative artificial intelligence services are expected to evolve into a low-cost and widely accessible model. In large markets like India, even if a small fraction of free users convert into paying subscribers, it holds significant revenue potential for companies.

News Source: 12punto