Telangana's IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu has extended an invitation to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to visit Hyderabad, aiming to showcase the city's contributions to the AI landscape.

This invitation was made public on February 7, 2025, through a post on X (formerly Twitter), which highlighted Hyderabad's cultural offerings, including its famous Irani Chai and Biryani.

Altman has expressed OpenAI's eagerness to engage more with India, particularly in response to competitive pressures from Chinese AI firms like DeepSeek.

Telangana is proactively preparing for an AI-driven future, with plans to develop an AI City that aims to foster a thriving ecosystem for AI players and enhance its global image as an IT powerhouse.

Significant investments are being attracted to the AI sector in Telangana, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the World Trade Centre for a 1 million square foot project in AI City.

Minister Babu emphasized the rapid growth in skill upgrading, capability building, and innovation in AI within the state, showcasing Hyderabad's potential in the global AI revolution.

Hyderabad is home to major technology development facilities for leading companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce, further solidifying its status as a tech hub.

Babu expressed pride in the success of local startups and innovations, highlighting the city's role in the global AI landscape.

This invitation follows Altman's recent visit to India, where he met with Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss potential collaboration opportunities.

During his visit, Altman clarified that his previous comments regarding Indian firms' competitiveness in foundational AI models were taken out of context.

The invitation concluded with a positive note on Telangana's commitment to AI development, stating, 'Telangana never disappoints!'

The minister's invitation was shared on social media during Altman's visit to India, further emphasizing the state's proactive approach to AI.