With freebies, OpenAI, Google vie for Indian users and training data

Why in news

Google, OpenAI, and Perplexity are offering free AI services in India to capture the market and gather multilingual training data, leading to India becoming the largest market for daily users of ChatGPT and Gemini.

Background

Google launched Gemini AI Pro and OpenAI launched ChatGPT Go as free versions to attract Indian users. India has emerged as the largest market globally for daily users of both ChatGPT and Gemini services.

Facts for Prelims

• S&TGemini AI Pro: A free AI service launched by Google to capture the Indian market.
• S&TChatGPT Go: A free version of OpenAI's chatbot launched for Indian users.
• FactIndia is currently the largest market by daily users for both ChatGPT and Gemini.
• S&TPerplexity: An AI service offering free services in India to gather multilingual training data.

For Mains

Q. Discuss the implications of large-scale AI data harvesting on individual privacy and the importance of establishing a robust data protection framework in India.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Privacy-Utility Trade-off: Balancing the benefits of free AI services against the risks of unauthorized data harvesting.
• Data Sovereignty: Challenges in regulating the flow of Indian user data to global AI corporations.
• Digital Divide: Risk of unequal access to advanced AI tools despite the availability of free versions.

Keywords: Data Privacy · Artificial Intelligence · Data Harvesting · Digital Sovereignty · Multilingual Training Data

More Science & Technology notes

• Stress tests and drones: the new playbook to protect the endangered western hoolock gibbon · 24 December 2025
• Rooftop solar plants commissioned at 148 stations across South Western Railway · 24 December 2025
• BlueBird Block-2 mission: ISRO successfully launches LVM3-M6 rocket · 24 December 2025
• VP Radhakrishnan welcomes AI in school curricula, says India should take lead · 24 December 2025
• RoV study at Mullaperiyar to assess structural integrity of dam · 23 December 2025
• All new APSRTC electric buses, including Palle Velugu, to be air-conditioned, says Naidu · 23 December 2025

All Science & Technology current affairs →

Something wrong, or something missing?

Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.

Report a mistake →Ask for something →[email protected]