Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 31, Google announced it will provide 18 months of free access to its Gemini AI service for all 505 million users of Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator. The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence across the world’s most populous country, following similar initiatives by major competitors such as OpenAI.

Gemini logo is seen in this illustration taken May 20, 2024.

The partnership follows Google’s recent commitment to invest $15 billion in AI infrastructure in India, marking its largest investment to date in the South Asian market. The move underscores the company’s strategy to expand AI accessibility and establish a strong presence in India’s rapidly growing digital ecosystem.

AI applications have surged in popularity across India in recent months. In response, authorities have proposed new regulations requiring AI and social media companies to label AI-generated content to address the risks of deepfakes and misinformation.

Under the new offer, Jio users will gain complimentary access to Gemini’s advanced AI model, along with two terabytes of cloud storage and access to its image and video generation tools. This package, valued at 35,100 rupees ($399), will be made available for free for 18 months. Google and Reliance Jio also announced AI collaborations aimed at supporting Indian enterprises in adopting generative AI technologies.

The free plan rollout will begin with early access for users aged 18 to 25 who are enrolled in select telecom plans. Reliance stated: "The offering will expand to every Jio customer nationwide in the shortest time possible." The initiative is expected to strengthen Jio’s digital ecosystem while significantly broadening Gemini’s user base.

Google already offers free Gemini AI Pro subscriptions for one year to students in India. Similarly, OpenAI recently launched a one-year free access plan for its ChatGPT Go service in India starting in November. Another AI firm, Perplexity, has partnered with Bharti Airtel to provide free access to its premium AI plan for Indian users.

These strategies mirror the approach used by global streaming platforms in their early years of expansion in India. Companies such as Netflix and Amazon Prime previously teamed up with telecom providers to offer bundled subscriptions, aiming to rapidly grow their user bases.

With nearly one billion internet users, India has become a key market for global technology firms seeking to expand their reach and improve their services through local engagement. The Gemini-Jio collaboration highlights the increasing competition among major AI developers to capture early market share in a country that is central to the global digital transformation.

Through this initiative, Google aims to make advanced AI tools more accessible while enhancing its long-term presence in India’s technological landscape. The partnership also reflects a broader trend among major technology companies investing in infrastructure and collaborations to strengthen AI integration across industries in emerging markets.