April 4, 2025 | San Francisco/New Delhi
India has emerged as the fastest-growing market for ChatGPT, according to OpenAI, as AI-generated content continues to gain massive traction across sectors—from education to entertainment. The surge coincides with the recent viral trend of Ghibli-style AI artwork, which has captivated millions of users across social media platforms.
OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, reported a sharp rise in user adoption from India, driven by students, professionals, and creators leveraging the chatbot for everything from exam prep to content creation and design inspiration.
“India has quickly become one of the most dynamic markets for ChatGPT,” said an OpenAI spokesperson. “We’re seeing incredible engagement, especially among younger users and creative communities.”
Ghibli-Style AI Art Goes Viral
The explosion of AI-generated images inspired by Studio Ghibli’s iconic animation style has played a key role in this growth. Indian artists, tech influencers, and casual users have taken to platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit to share their personalized Ghibli-style scenes—ranging from fantasy landscapes to anime-style portraits powered by prompts run through ChatGPT and AI image generators.
“It’s magical and nostalgic,” said Priya Malhotra, a digital illustrator based in Mumbai. “The Ghibli trend brings our imagination to life in a way we’ve never seen before.”
India’s Expanding AI Adoption
Experts say India’s booming digital population, affordable mobile data, and increasing comfort with generative AI tools have made it fertile ground for ChatGPT’s expansion. Edtech platforms, marketing agencies, and design studios have started integrating ChatGPT Pro and image tools into their workflows.
“India represents a massive opportunity for the future of AI accessibility,” said Rajat Verma, a Bengaluru-based AI consultant. “The Ghibli trend is just one sign of how AI is becoming culturally embedded.”
OpenAI’s Future in India
OpenAI has hinted at plans to expand partnerships, language support, and possibly infrastructure in India to support the growing user base. Local developers are also building GPT-powered apps tailored to regional use cases, including vernacular education tools and business support bots.
As AI trends continue to evolve, India’s creative and tech-savvy user base is expected to play a central role in shaping how tools like ChatGPT are used and reimagined.
