OpenAI is planning to build one of India’s largest artificial intelligence data centers with a capacity of at least 1 gigawatt (GW), marking a major step in its global infrastructure expansion under its “Stargate” program. This initiative would make it one of the biggest AI data center projects in India, a country already witnessing heavy investments in digital infrastructure from companies like Microsoft, Google, and Reliance.
The company is in early talks with potential Indian partners, though the exact location and timeline for the project remain undecided. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is expected to share more details during his expected visit to India later this month.
This move aligns with OpenAI’s broader strategy to strengthen its AI services in key markets. India’s significance is clear: it is OpenAI’s growing user base and an integral part of its future growth plans. The new data center would not only reduce data transfer delays and concerns about overseas data privacy but also allow OpenAI to deliver faster and more customized AI services adapted to the local context.
OpenAI is also expanding its local presence by registering a legal entity and setting up its first Indian office in New Delhi. Alongside infrastructure, it has rolled out a $5 monthly subscription plan for ChatGPT users in India and launched educational initiatives through collaborations with the Ministry of Electronics and IT, including the IndiaAI Mission.
Globally, OpenAI’s Stargate program involves billions of dollars in AI infrastructure investment, with over 4.5 GW of capacity already committed in the U.S. in collaboration with partners like SoftBank and Oracle. Other international projects are underway in Norway and Abu Dhabi, showing a clear global push to build AI data capacity in strategic regions. India benefits from fewer technology export restrictions compared to other geographies, helping smooth the path for AI chip sourcing and data center construction.
The India AI data center fits into broader geopolitical and technological efforts, including OpenAI’s collaboration with the U.S. government through its “OpenAI for Countries” initiative, aiming to promote democratic values and counterbalance competing global powers in AI infrastructure.
This 1 GW facility will position India as a critical hub in the global AI landscape, boosting local AI innovation, development, and digital transformation at an unprecedented scale.
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