Tech giants OpenAI and Meta are reportedly in talks with Reliance Industries for potential artificial intelligence (AI) collaborations, aiming to strengthen their foothold in India’s rapidly growing AI sector. According to a report by The Information, both companies have held separate discussions with Reliance to explore avenues for distributing and hosting their AI models in the country.
OpenAI, Jio Discuss ChatGPT Distribution
One of the key proposals on the table involves a potential partnership between Reliance Jio and OpenAI to expand the reach of ChatGPT in India. Sources cited in the report suggest that OpenAI has been exploring ways to make its AI chatbot more accessible, including discussions around pricing adjustments. While ChatGPT’s premium subscription currently stands at $20 per month, OpenAI has reportedly considered slashing prices to just a few dollars in a bid to drive adoption.
Additionally, Reliance has been evaluating the possibility of offering OpenAI’s models to its enterprise customers through an application programming interface (API). The discussions also extend to hosting and running OpenAI models within India, ensuring that local customer data remains within the country’s borders.
Reliance’s Mega Data Center Could Play a Role
Reliance is reportedly planning to deploy both OpenAI and Meta’s AI models in its upcoming three-gigawatt data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The facility, touted as the largest data centre in the world, could serve as a key infrastructure hub for AI processing, catering to businesses and enterprises looking to leverage advanced AI solutions within India.
This move aligns with India’s broader push for data sovereignty, as regulatory frameworks increasingly emphasise local data storage and processing. If the discussions materialise, Reliance’s extensive digital ecosystem and infrastructure could provide OpenAI and Meta with a robust platform to scale their AI services across the country.
Companies Remain Tight-Lipped
While the talks signal growing interest from global tech firms in India’s AI landscape, the status of these negotiations remains unclear. Meta declined to comment on the report, while OpenAI and Reliance have not yet responded to media inquiries.
Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, is one of India’s largest conglomerates, with business interests spanning telecommunications, retail, petrochemicals, oil and gas, and renewable energy. The potential partnerships could mark a significant step in advancing India’s AI capabilities and digital transformation efforts.