Mangaluru
In a candid and emotionally resonant disclosure, an HR executive from OpenAI—whose familial lineage traces back to Mangaluru—shared how deeply personal the task of launching the company’s first office in India feels. As OpenAI sets its sights on establishing a physical presence on Indian soil, the revelation adds a human touch to a major strategic expansion, one that blends heart and vision.
A Homecoming in Spirit and Strategy
The executive, identified as Jake Wilczynski, Head of Communications for the Asia-Pacific region, confirmed via LinkedIn that OpenAI is gearing up to open its first office in New Delhi by the end of 2025. As part of this effort, the company has already published three India-specific job openings—namely, Account Director roles for Digital Natives, Large Enterprise, and Strategics—signaling a clear ramp-up in its operational footprint .
Amid this announcement, Wilczynski revealed with heartfelt pride that his family hails from Mangaluru—a personal connection that gives added meaning to the company’s embrace of India. This glimpse into the executive’s heritage underscores how OpenAI’s expansion transcends business strategy; it touches on personal roots and cultural identity.
India: A Market of Scale and Significance
India stands as OpenAI’s second-largest market by active users, behind only the United States. The company reports that weekly active users in India have more than quadrupled over the past year, underscoring the nation’s voracious appetite for generative AI and digital tools . India also ranks among the top five developer markets globally, and it boasts the highest student user base for ChatGPT, making it a critical hub for both consumption and innovation .
For OpenAI, stepping into India is not just a growth play—it’s a strategic imperative to understand and serve a diverse, multilingual population whose needs could shape the global evolution of AI.
The First India Hire: Bridging Policy and Partnerships
In April 2024, OpenAI made its first India hire: Pragya Misra was appointed as the head of public policy affairs and partnerships—a pivotal role as the company navigates India’s emerging AI regulatory landscape . Misra’s appointment came during a critical election period in India, when the direction of AI policy was beginning to take shape .
With a background in global firms like Truecaller and Meta, where she led WhatsApp’s campaign against misinformation in 2018, Misra brings a wealth of relevant experience. She is the point person for building key governmental and ecosystem partnerships and ensuring OpenAI’s strategy aligns with local policy realities.
A Vision for Local Context and Global Impact
At the 2025 ASU+GSV & Emeritus Summit, Misra emphasized India’s significance to OpenAI’s mission of delivering artificial general intelligence for all. She highlighted the importance of local context—acknowledging India’s multilingual and cultural diversity—and stressed how these factors must inform the design of AI innovations . Misra also pointed out that ChatGPT’s integration into WhatsApp—used by over 500 million Indians—illustrates the need to “meet people where they are,” making AI feel accessible and natural .
Charting the Future: Growth, Access, and Innovation
OpenAI’s intentions in India go beyond setting up an office; they represent a holistic effort to localize AI, expand access, and foster innovation. The company recently rolled out a new, more affordable ChatGPT subscription plan—ChatGPT Go—priced at ₹399 per month, making premium AI features more accessible to Indian consumers
With misra leading policy efforts, hiring ramping up, and a deepening user base, OpenAI seems poised for a significant impact in India.
Final Thought: Personal Roots, Global Reach
Jake Wilczynski’s revelation of his Mangaluru heritage lends a poignant dimension to what might otherwise be seen as yet another corporate expansion. It reminds us that in the world of AI—a domain often defined by data, algorithms, and strategy—the human connections behind the vision still matter. For India, this expansion means more than economic opportunity: it’s about building AI solutions shaped by the stories, languages, and traditions of its people.
As OpenAI’s first office opens its doors in New Delhi later this year, it appears the company’s values are not just global, but deeply personal—rooted in places like Mangaluru, where the future is being imagined by those who come from it.
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