OpenAI To Host Developer Gathering In Bengaluru To Discuss AI Safety

OpenAI is set to host its inaugural developer meetup in Bengaluru next month as the ChatGPT developer looks to penetrate deeper into India’s artificial intelligence (AI) space. 

This comes at a time when Sam Altman’s OpenAI is reportedly partnering with Rishi Jaitly, former Twitter India head, to gain insights into and navigate India’s policies and regulations concerning the AI landscape.

Although OpenAI does not have an official presence in India, it recently secured trademark approval. 

During a session at the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) Summit on Tuesday (December 12), Anna Makanju, vice president of Global Affairs at OpenAI, said that the gathering will mark the commencement of OpenAI’s engagement in the Indian market, ET reported.

“We will hold a developer gathering with our vice-president of engineering, Srinivas Narayanan in Bangalore, in January—with more to follow. We plan to convene developers in India to work with OpenAI product leaders on some of the most difficult products and safety challenges,” Makanju said.

OpenAI, along with other major global technology players such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia, forms part of the 29-nation delegations participating in GPAI 2023. 

Speaking at the GPAI Summit in New Delhi, Makanju discussed the company’s focus on advancing AI safety and capacity following recent leadership changes. 

Makanju further highlighted OpenAI’s collaboration with the farmer welfare organisation Digital Green, aiding India’s agriculture ministry in cost-effective agricultural extension services. 

The initiative employs a chatbot providing location-specific guidance in multiple languages. The tool is set to launch in 10 states by early 2024, with plans for nationwide availability.

In June, Altman met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his trip to New Delhi and expressed interest in investing in Indian startups. “We had some discussions about investing in Indian startups, and we would love to explore opportunities in that space.”

Founded as a non-profit by Altman, Elon Musk, and others in 2015, OpenAI later introduced a for-profit arm in 2019. Originally focused on creating beneficial AI for humanity, the launch of ChatGPT, a consumer chatbot app, propelled OpenAI into the mainstream, establishing itself as a leading company in AI. 

In October, a report from The Information revealed that according to Altman, OpenAI is achieving an annual revenue rate (ARR) of $1.3 Bn