South Koreans Pay $30 a Month, But... Companies Race to Expand Free Services in This Country

Targeting India's 900 Million Young Users
Global AI Companies Expand Free Services
"A Strategy to Secure Future User Base"

Global AI companies, including OpenAI, are expanding their free services in the Indian market. This move is interpreted as an effort to target young users familiar with generative AI and secure market leadership.

An AI-generated image depicting the use of AI.

According to BBC and The Times of India on November 9 (local time), OpenAI has been offering its low-cost model, ChatGPT Go, with a one-year free subscription since November 4. This product was previously sold as a paid service at 399 rupees (approximately 6,550 won) per year.

ChatGPT pricing varies by country, with differences depending on taxes, exchange rates, and localization policies. In South Korea, the most affordable ChatGPT Plus subscription costs 20 dollars (about 30,000 won).

ChatGPT Go, with improved response speed, allows more than 10 times the number of messages compared to the free version and also provides image generation features.

OpenAI explained that users can upgrade their subscription plans to further increase usage limits if needed.

Google has also partnered with Reliance Jio, India's largest telecom company, to offer Gemini AI for free or at discounted prices. AI search company Perplexity is collaborating with Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest telecom operator, to provide its premium plan free of charge for one year.

India's Large Population Under 24... Altman Says "Could Become the Largest Market"

Analysts say that the expansion of free services by AI companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Perplexity in the Indian market is a strategy to secure market dominance. India is estimated to have over 900 million internet users, the majority of whom are under 24 years old, making them likely to become a key customer base in the future.

CEO Sam Altman stated earlier this year, "India is OpenAI's second-largest user base after the United States," and added, "It could soon become the largest market."

However, there are concerns that such free offerings could raise issues regarding consumer privacy and data protection. Prasanto K Roy, a technology analyst in Delhi, told the BBC, "Most users have willingly provided their data for convenience or free benefits and will likely continue to do so," adding, "With data being handed over so freely, stronger government regulation is needed to manage the wide-ranging issues that may arise."