eNews
India talks tech as ChatGPT rolls out Its biggest desi debut yet
MUMBAI: If India ever needed proof that artificial intelligence now speaks its language literally ChatGPT just delivered it with cinematic flair. OpenAI has launched its first-ever nationwide omnichannel brand campaign in India, rolling out across TV, OTT, print, digital, and OOH in a move that feels less like a tech announcement and more like a cultural coming-of-age moment.
The campaign arrives on the heels of three India-centric product launches, Study Mode designed for students, the ultra-affordable ChatGPT Go subscription plan, and IndQA, OpenAI’s new benchmark to evaluate AI accuracy on Indian languages and cultural context. The message is unmistakable, India isn’t just a user market, it’s a design partner.
At the centre of the campaign are two emotionally grounded, reality-inspired films shot by acclaimed photographer-filmmaker Bharat Sikka. With ChatGPT’s voice-first, regional-language abilities taking the spotlight, the films show how everyday Indians are using AI to push past hesitation, build confidence, and make possibilities feel a little more reachable.
“We believe you shouldn’t have to switch languages to access AI,” said OpenAI head of marketing for India Sheeladitya Mohanty. “This campaign is inspired by real stories where ChatGPT became a trusted companion helping people learn, create, prepare, communicate and grow in the language they’re most comfortable in.”
The films will release in Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu, representing the linguistic diversity that powers India’s digital universe. The first film now live follows a young woman preparing for a job interview, using ChatGPT as her patient coach, confidence-builder, and language-friendly guide. It’s a quiet but stirring portrait of ambition meeting access.
The campaign is set for a wide sweep, airing on television, streaming platforms, digital video formats, print dailies, and high-visibility outdoor sites across metros.
Meanwhile, since early November, ChatGPT Go has been made available free for 12 months to eligible users in India who sign up during a limited-period promotional window spanning the web, Android and iOS apps further signalling OpenAI’s intent to make AI both accessible and affordable at scale.
With its multilingual, voice-led storytelling and India-first feature slate, ChatGPT’s latest push signals a future where AI doesn’t sit above culture, it sits within it. And for a nation that thinks, dreams and hustles in dozens of languages, that’s a conversation worth amplifying.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
