This visit aligns with the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled in New Delhi from February 16 to 20. This significant global AI event is anticipated to attract top executives from companies like Nvidia, Google, Meta, and Anthropic, along with senior Indian policymakers and industry leaders.
Although Altman is not formally listed as a confirmed speaker at the summit, sources indicate he plans to be in New Delhi during that time and will engage in a series of private meetings on the sidelines.
Additionally, OpenAI is organizing an invitation-only event in New Delhi on February 19, aimed at bringing together venture capitalists and senior industry executives, one source revealed. The specifics of the visit have not been publicly announced, and plans may still evolve.
A busy AI week for India
The summit week is shaping up to be a central hub for global AI interaction with India. Anthropic is holding a developers’ day in Bengaluru on February 16, while Nvidia is expected to conduct a private event in New Delhi during the same timeframe. Several other U.S. tech companies are planning associated events, highlighting India’s increasing significance as a market for enterprise AI adoption, developers, and startups.
Altman’s last trip to India was in February 2025. He had earlier expressed intentions to return later that year after OpenAI announced a New Delhi office, but that visit did not occur.
India’s growing strategic significance
This trip underscores India’s emergence as a vital growth market for U.S. AI firms. Google and Microsoft have unveiled multi-billion-dollar investments to enhance AI and cloud infrastructure in the nation, while Anthropic has recently established an office in Bengaluru. OpenAI has been actively hiring in India for roles in enterprise sales, technical deployment, and legal areas, with positions available in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
India is now the largest market for ChatGPT by downloads and the second-largest globally by users. However, challenges remain in monetization. Last year, OpenAI launched a lower-cost “ChatGPT Go” plan under $5 in India and offered it for free for a year to boost adoption.
During his visit, sources suggest Altman is expected to meet senior government officials, startup founders, and technology leaders, as OpenAI aims to enhance enterprise adoption while continuing to grow as a mass-market product in India.
