TLDR
- Google will provide Gemini AI free to 500 million Reliance Jio users for 18 months
- The partnership includes Gemini 2.5 Pro, NotebookLM, and 2TB cloud storage worth $396 per user
- Competitors Perplexity AI and OpenAI are launching similar free offerings through Indian telecoms
- The rollout targets Jio’s 18-25 year old users first before expanding to all subscribers
- India represents the largest single market for digital expansion with nearly 1 billion internet users
Google just handed out free AI access to half a billion people. The company announced an 18-month partnership with Reliance Jio that brings Gemini AI to India’s largest telecom network at no cost.
The deal covers Gemini 2.5 Pro, NotebookLM access, and 2TB of cloud storage. That package normally costs 35,100 rupees or about $396 per user.
Reliance Intelligence, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and Meta, will manage the partnership. Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, said the goal is making India “AI-empowered” for the next generation.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai described it as “a milestone in expanding access to AI across India.” The move builds on Google’s $15 billion commitment to AI infrastructure in the country, marking its largest investment in South Asia.
The rollout starts with users aged 18 to 25 on Jio 5G plans. After that initial phase, access expands to all Jio subscribers across the network.
The Race for India’s AI Users
Google isn’t alone in chasing India’s massive user base. Perplexity AI partnered with Bharti Airtel to offer its Pro plan free for one year to 360 million users.
The company launched influencer campaigns on Instagram and YouTube to demonstrate AI applications. OpenAI announced its ChatGPT Go plan will be free for Indian users starting November 4.
OpenAI is also building a 1-gigawatt data center in India to handle growing demand. These partnerships follow the playbook used by Netflix and Amazon Prime, which bundled subscriptions with telecom plans to expand quickly.
India has nearly 1 billion internet users. The country hosts over 500 million WhatsApp users and 467 million YouTube users, making it the biggest market for digital growth.
Why India Matters
India’s 377 million Gen Z consumers control $860 billion in annual spending. This demographic will shape the next phase of AI monetization.
The Indian government recently proposed regulations requiring companies to label AI-generated content. Officials want to combat deepfakes and misinformation as AI adoption grows.
Google’s free Gemini access will accelerate user adoption while collecting valuable data and feedback. The partnership strengthens Google’s position against OpenAI and Meta in the region.
It also deepens ties with Reliance across telecom, cloud services, and AI infrastructure. Google’s stock saw modest gains in pre-market trading after the announcement.
Analysts view the deal as a long-term play for India’s billion-user market. The 18-month free period gives Google time to build user habits before any potential monetization.
The post Google (GOOGL) Stock: Tech Giant Hands Out Free AI to Half a Billion Indians appeared first on Blockonomi.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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