In a move that signals a significant shift in global AI strategy, companies such as OpenAI, Google and Perplexity AI are partnering with Indian telecoms and service providers to offer premium AI tools, for example, advanced chatbot access and large-model features, free for millions of users in India.

The offers are not merely promotional but part of a long-term play to dominate the AI ecosystem.

Market analysts quoted by the BBC note that the objective is to 'get Indians hooked on to generative AI before asking them to pay for it'. The size of India's digital ecosystem, with its young, mobile-first population and relatively less restrictive regulation, makes it a key battleground for AI firms aiming for global scale.

However, there are risks: free access may raise concerns around privacy and data protection, algorithmic control and whether users are fully informed about how their data is used and when free offers will convert into paid services.