Tech Companies Offer Free AI Tools to Millions of Indians in Strategic User Push
Millions of mobile users in India are set to receive a year of free access to ChatGPT’s new low-cost “Go” chatbot, following similar partnerships recently announced by Google and Perplexity AI. The move forms part of a wider strategy by global tech companies to expand their user base in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.
Perplexity has partnered with Airtel, India’s second-largest mobile network provider, while Google has teamed up with Reliance Jio to bundle free or discounted AI services with monthly data plans. Analysts say the offers are commercial strategies aimed at building long-term reliance on generative AI among young internet users.
“This is about scale and future revenue,” said Tarun Pathak, analyst at Counterpoint Research. “The goal is to familiarise Indians with generative AI now, then convert a share of them into paying users later. India’s market is open, unlike China’s, and offers enormous growth potential.”
India has more than 900 million internet users and some of the cheapest data costs globally. Most users are under 24, making the country an ideal testing ground for new AI products. Increased usage also helps tech firms gather diverse, real-world data to train their systems.
However, the surge in free AI access has raised concerns about privacy and user awareness. Technology analyst Prasanto K Roy says most consumers willingly exchange personal data for convenience or free services, highlighting the need for safeguards.
India currently lacks a dedicated AI regulation framework. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, passed in 2023, has not yet been fully implemented and does not address algorithmic accountability. Experts say that once enacted, it could become one of the most advanced digital privacy policies globally.
For now, flexible regulation allows companies to experiment in India at a scale unlikely in regions such as the European Union or South Korea, where stricter compliance requirements apply.
Despite privacy debates, analysts say the strategy could pay off. Even if a small portion of free users eventually subscribe, the numbers could be significant in a country of India’s size.
