The AI landscape in India is buzzing with an exciting development: major telecom players are offering premium AI services for free, bringing cutting-edge intelligence to millions. I've been following this closely, and it's truly a moment of significant impact, echoing many of my earlier thoughts on making advanced technology universally accessible.
The AI Gold Rush in India
Recent articles from Digit.in and NDTV highlight how OpenAI's ChatGPT Go, Google's Gemini Pro via Jio, and Perplexity Pro through Airtel are making waves ChatGPT Go vs Perplexity Pro vs Gemini Pro: Features compared, which AI is best?. It's a strategic move, democratizing access to AI in a way that truly excites me.
- Jio's Google AI Pro (Gemini Pro): For Jio users, there's a generous 18 months of free access to Gemini Pro, a substantial value of ₹35,100. As reported by Vyom Ramani for Digit.in, this is activated seamlessly through the MyJio app ChatGPT Go vs Perplexity Pro vs Gemini Pro: Features compared, which AI is best?. It offers unlimited chats, image uploads, and an impressive 2TB of pooled cloud storage, deeply integrated into Google's ecosystem (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides). This integration, alongside features like video generation and app creation, turns Gemini Pro into a powerful tool for productivity. It leverages the robust Gemini 2.5 Pro model.
- Airtel's Perplexity Pro: Airtel users also receive a compelling offer: 12 months of Perplexity Pro, valued at ₹17,000, easily activated via the Airtel Thanks app Airtel: Latest News, Photos, Videos on Airtel - NDTV.COM. Perplexity Pro stands out for its research-focused capabilities, offering verifiable answers with citations and multi-model access including GPT, Claude, and Gemini. While it has a daily limit of 300 advanced searches, its emphasis on accuracy and document analysis makes it invaluable for tasks requiring factual rigor. I recall the discussions at IMC 2025 where Sharat Sinha (sharat.sinha@airtel.com) spoke about Airtel's innovations, and Shilpi Kapoor's insights into Airtel Payments Bank, which showcases the operator's forward-thinking approach.
- OpenAI's ChatGPT Go: Bursting onto the scene is ChatGPT Go, offering a full year of free access to all Indian users, whether new or existing. Valued at ₹4,788, it's easily activated through the ChatGPT website or app without needing a credit card ChatGPT Go vs Perplexity Pro vs Gemini Pro: Features compared, which AI is best?. Powered by GPT-5, GPT-4o, and other models, it boosts message limits and memory for personalized interactions, making it a strong contender for creative endeavors and fluid conversational experiences. This reflects the vision of leaders like Sam Altman who steer OpenAI's innovation.
My Long-Standing Vision: AI as a Digital Public Good
This trend of making premium AI accessible for free is something I've championed for years. I've always believed that advanced technology, especially AI, should not be a luxury but a fundamental tool for progress and empowerment. The core idea I want to convey is this — take a moment to notice that I had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. I had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and I had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context.
In my communication to Hon. Shri Ashwini Vaishnawji (appt.mr@gov.in) IndiaAGI is for 140 crores in 9, I outlined how initiatives like IndiaAGI.ai, being fully open-source and free, embody the spirit of AI as a digital public good, ensuring transparency and democratized access. Similarly, in my previous correspondence with Shri Chaterjee I hope policy makers read your article, I had emphasized the role of futuristic AI in structurally leapfrogging the supply-demand gap in healthcare, a vision that feels more tangible now. The application of AI isn't just in grand schemes; it extends to our everyday lives, as I noted when discussing AI-driven appliances AI-driven appliances, predicting how smart technology would redefine consumer experiences.
Even in learning, I foresaw the potential. My blog post Practise Questions from Gemini touched upon AI's ability to create practice questions from study guides, a feature now becoming mainstream with services like Gemini Pro. This aligns perfectly with my observation in Take a Look about how AI would enhance learning with personalized quizzes and discussions.
Indeed, seeing these premium AI tools become freely available for Indian users is a significant step towards the future I've often envisioned. It's not just about access; it's about empowering every individual with the intelligence to innovate, learn, and thrive.
Regards, Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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