Google has announced a major collaboration with Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. to make Gemini AI free for all of its 505 million subscribers in the country for 18 months. The deal places Google at the forefront of the fast-growing AI market in the most populous country in the world.
The partnership follows a series of AI initiatives by several global tech giants operating in the country and attempting to tap into its fast-growing user base. It comes just weeks after Google announced the decision to invest $15 billion in AI infrastructure in India, its largest investment in the region to date.
Expanding AI Access Throughout India
The Gemini AI offer will include access to Google’s advanced AI model, two terabytes of cloud storage, and image and video generation tools, a package that normally costs ₹35,100 ($399). It first rolls out early access to users between 18-25 years on select Jio plans before it launches nationwide for all customers “as soon as possible,” Reliance Jio confirmed.
India’s AI adoption has significantly increased in the last year, which has prompted new government proposals that require tech companies to label AI-generated content in order to fight misinformation and deepfakes. This partnership is in line with the government’s focus on responsible AI while opening up the functionality of powerful AI to consumers.
Mirroring the Streaming Model
Google’s strategy mirrors the early approach of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime aligned with telecom carriers to expand their subscriber base. Bundled with Jio’s very extensive customer base, Gemini will help drive AI adoption and further integrate Google’s ecosystem into India’s digital landscape.
This offer of free access is also part of an ongoing competitive wave among global AI firms. Recently, OpenAI said it would give Indian users free access to its ChatGPT Go plan, while Perplexity AI partnered with Bharti Airtel to offer premium features at no cost.
Building India’s AI Ecosystem
The rollout of Gemini marks a major step in Google’s broader vision to make AI tools mainstream in India, targeting not only individual users but also small businesses and entrepreneurs. Also, Google and Reliance Jio have announced plans to join forces over AI-powered enterprise solutions with the goal of further improving business operations and digital transformation.
According to experts, the collaboration will help millions of users experience firsthand what generative AI can do, bringing potentially transformative effects on education, e-commerce, and customer service. India continues to be one of the most lucrative markets for global tech innovation, with close to 1 billion internet users.
A Step Toward Digital Inclusion
By eliminating subscription barriers, Google and Jio position themselves as leaders in digital inclusion. The partnership will usher in mass-scale AI awareness and provide Indian users with early access to state-of-the-art generative models such as Gemini Advanced, a head-on rival to ChatGPT and other AI assistants. It shows how access to AI has become the next frontier of competition in India’s telecom and tech space, with global players competing aggressively to grow their user base. India continues to emerge as a testing ground for AI innovation and adoption.
As the AI race accelerates, Google’s partnership with Jio could redefine how India’s massive user base experiences next-generation technology.
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