Additionally, OpenAI rolled out its ChatGPT Go, an affordable subscription service for universal access, to 16 Asian countries. This is an advanced step in the company’s build back better approach to growth. The release started in India in August 2023. From there, we scaled to Indonesia in September in a bid to increase user engagement and help OpenAI achieve its new-found profitability targets ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
ChatGPT Go unlocks a range of advanced features for users, with daily limits for messages, image generation and file uploads increased significantly. And it’s less than $5. Now users in those countries, and Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Pakistan can pay seamlessly in their local currencies. In all other countries users will pay around $5 USD equivalent, depending on local tax rates.
You’ll hear it in AFGHANISTAN, BANGLADESH, BHUTAN, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, CAMBODIA, LAOS, MALAYSIA, MALDIVES, MYANMAR, NEPAL, PAKISTAN, PHILIPPINES, SRI LANKA, THAILAND, TIMOR-LESTE, VIETNAM. This huge rollout is consistent with OpenAI’s broader strategy to quickly establish its userbase across other high-growth markets, especially in Asia.
OpenAI, as a result, has been putting up some eye-popping growth figures since it rolled out ChatGPT. Paid subscribers in India have doubled since the short-form service debuted. OpenAI further pointed out that globally ChatGPT has now surpassed a shocking 800 million weekly active users. This quick uptake by users is a testament to the need for AI-driven solutions in emerging markets.
OpenAI is currently on fire. This expansion takes place amid intense rivalry from technology companies – most notably Google’s, all jockeying for dominance in the emerging markets of Asia. Nick Turley, a spokesperson for OpenAI, emphasized the firm’s vision for ChatGPT’s evolution:
“The evolution we’re trying to make over the next few years is one where ChatGPT itself is more like an operating system where you can come and use applications.” – Nick Turley
For all its success, and a recent $500 billion valuation of its commercial success, OpenAI is in dire financial straits. The company’s net loss from operations for the first half of 2025 came to $7.8 billion. This financial strain highlights the need for sustainable growth strategies as the firm continues to innovate and expand its offerings.