TLDR: K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), working President of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), extended a warm invitation to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to establish the company’s India operations in Hyderabad. His appeal follows Altman’s announcement of OpenAI’s plans to open its first India office, reportedly in New Delhi. KTR emphasized Hyderabad’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, its deep pool of tech talent, and Telangana’s proactive efforts to position itself as India’s AI capital.
Hyderabad, India – K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), the working President of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former Telangana IT Minister, has actively campaigned for Hyderabad to be the chosen location for OpenAI’s upcoming India operations. His fervent appeal was directed at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who recently confirmed plans to establish the artificial intelligence giant’s first office in India later this year, with reports indicating New Delhi as the intended city.
In a series of public statements, including posts on X (formerly Twitter), KTR extended a ‘warm welcome’ to Altman, who is expected to visit India next month. KTR passionately described Hyderabad as the ‘perfect gateway to India’ and an ‘ideal base for OpenAI’s ambitions in the country’ .
Highlighting Hyderabad’s robust credentials, KTR underscored the city’s ‘most vibrant innovation ecosystem in India’ . He specifically cited key institutions and initiatives such as T-Hub, WE Hub, T-Works, the Telangana State Innovation Cell, and the Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad. These entities, he noted, have collectively positioned Hyderabad as a ‘powerhouse for startups and technological advancement’ .
Furthermore, KTR emphasized Hyderabad’s established reputation as a global tech hub, already hosting major international players like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Qualcomm. This presence, he argued, is a testament to the city’s ‘deep pool of tech and startup talent,’ making it an ‘ideal base for OpenAI to tap into India’s skilled workforce’ .
Telangana’s commitment to fostering AI innovation was also a central point of KTR’s pitch. He recalled that the State government had declared 2020 as the ‘Year of AI’ and subsequently launched ‘several AI-driven initiatives to foster innovation’ . These strategic steps, he asserted, have ‘strengthened Hyderabad’s position as a leader in the global AI landscape’ and positioned the state to ‘drive the AI revolution’ .
Sam Altman, in his earlier announcement, expressed his enthusiasm for India’s AI landscape, stating, ‘The level of excitement and opportunity for AI in India is incredible. India has all the ingredients to become a global AI leader—amazing tech talent, a world-class developer ecosystem, and strong government support through the IndiaAI Mission’ . He also noted the remarkable four-fold growth in ChatGPT users in India over the past year . OpenAI has already begun hiring a local team in India .
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KTR’s non-partisan approach in advocating for his state’s interests has garnered widespread appreciation on social media, with many netizens commending his statesmanship for prioritizing Telangana’s development over political affiliations .
