OpenAI and Meta Platforms have reportedly initiated separate discussions with Reliance Industries to explore strategic AI partnerships aimed at expanding their offerings in the Indian market, according to The Information.
One possibility under discussion is a collaboration between Jio and OpenAI for the distribution of ChatGPT to Indian users. OpenAI has also internally discussed cutting ChatGPT subscription prices to more affordable levels—potentially just a few dollars a month—though it’s unclear whether this has been proposed to Reliance.
Enterprise AI and Local Data Hosting in Focus
The potential collaboration would not only involve consumer access but also extend to enterprise solutions. Reliance is reportedly exploring the sale of OpenAI’s models to business clients via APIs. The company is also in talks to host and run OpenAI models locally, ensuring data sovereignty by keeping Indian user data within the country.
This would align with the Indian government’s push for data localization, especially in sensitive sectors like telecommunications, financial services, and public utilities.
Jamnagar Data Center Could Play a Key Role
The discussions are tied to Reliance’s upcoming data center project in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which the company says will be the world’s largest at three gigawatts. Hosting advanced AI models from OpenAI and Meta on Indian soil would offer low-latency AI performance while complying with regulatory frameworks.
Also read: OpenAI Unveils AI Agent Tools for Businesses
India as a Key AI Growth Market
With over a billion mobile users and a rapidly expanding enterprise digital market, India presents a high-growth opportunity for global AI firms. Partnering with Reliance—whose operations span telecom (Jio), cloud infrastructure, retail, and enterprise services—offers instant scalability and market access.
While none of the companies have publicly confirmed the talks, such a partnership could mark a significant shift in how frontier AI models are deployed in emerging markets like India. If realized, this move may set the tone for localized AI delivery at scale, positioning India as both a strategic AI market and a development hub.
