ChatGPT Go launched in India first, and now the cut-rate subscription to the AI chat service is going free in that country first. OpenAI announced earlier this week that the package would be free to Indian users for a year.
The move is intended to spur adoption among ChatGPT’s second-largest user base, with the likely intent of converting free Go users to paying customers at the end of the twelve months.
ChatGPT Go to India
Reuters points out that India is considering new regulations governing AI in the country. These changes would require that all AI-created content be clearly labelled to help limit the spread of deepfakes and other false information. How OpenAI will navigate these changes isn’t clear, but offering GPT Go for free to customers will increase the challenges the company faces from that quarter.
OpenAI isn’t the only company looking to scoop up Indian users. Perplexity, in association with mobile carrier Bharti Airtel, also offers a free year of its service in that country. Google is also on the bandwagon, targeting university students specifically with a free year of Google AI Pro.
ChatGPT Go users in South Africa can expect to pay R150/m for the service, almost double what Indian customers were paying. There’s no indication whether OpenAI will extend the free year to other markets any time soon, but should it bear fruit, SA (and other markets, if they absolutely have to) may see a little artificial intelligence freebie at some point.
