OpenAI names Prabhjeet Singh Managing Director for India operations
Synopsis
After 11 years steering Uber across India and South Asia, Prabhjeet Singh is crossing into AI — joining OpenAI as Managing Director for India in September. The hire is OpenAI's clearest signal yet that it is treating India not as a peripheral market but as a strategic priority requiring dedicated, senior-level leadership.
Key Takeaways
Prabhjeet Singh will join OpenAI as Managing Director for India in September 2025 .
He stepped down as Uber India and South Asia President after more than 11 years with the company.
Singh will report to Kiran Mani , OpenAI's Managing Director for Asia Pacific .
His mandate covers consumer growth, enterprise adoption, strategic partnerships, regulatory engagement, and operations.
Uber confirmed its continued commitment to India, calling it 'one of its most important markets globally.'
Prabhjeet Singh, who stepped down as Uber India and South Asia President on 27 June 2025 after more than 11 years with the ride-hailing giant, is set to join OpenAI as its Managing Director for India. The appointment signals a significant leadership investment by the Sam Altman-led artificial intelligence company in one of its stated top-priority markets.
Role and Reporting Structure
Singh is expected to join OpenAI in September 2025 and will report to Kiran Mani, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, according to the company. His mandate will span consumer growth, enterprise adoption, strategic partnerships, regulatory engagement, and day-to-day operations across India.
He will also focus on deepening ties across India's AI ecosystem, working with consumers, businesses, institutions, and government bodies to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption in the country.
Why OpenAI Is Doubling Down on India
India has emerged as one of OpenAI's fastest-growing markets, driven by a large English-speaking user base, a booming startup ecosystem, and aggressive government interest in AI adoption. Bringing in a seasoned market leader of Singh's calibre underscores the company's intent to move beyond product distribution toward deep institutional and policy engagement.
Notably, this appointment comes as global AI companies intensify competition for enterprise contracts and government partnerships in India — a market that is increasingly being courted by Google DeepMind, Microsoft, and homegrown AI ventures alike.
Singh's Decade-Long Uber Legacy
Singh joined Uber over a decade ago and was instrumental in shaping its operations across India and South Asia. His tenure coincided with a period of rapid expansion for the ride-hailing sector, marked by shifting consumer preferences, technological disruption, and fierce competition.
Under his leadership, Uber extended its footprint to several Indian cities, diversified beyond conventional cab-hailing, strengthened driver partnerships, and invested in technology-driven mobility solutions.
An Uber spokesperson said the company remains committed to its next phase of growth in India. 'India is one of Uber's most important markets globally, an important driver of innovation and long-term growth. The strength of our business today reflects the incredible team and foundation built over the years,' the spokesperson said. 'We thank Prabhjeet for his leadership and lasting contributions in his decade-long journey with Uber — we remain deeply committed to our next phase of growth in India,' the spokesperson added.
What Comes Next
With Singh joining in September, OpenAI is expected to accelerate enterprise deals and government-level AI partnerships in India. His background navigating India's complex regulatory environment — from surge pricing debates to driver welfare mandates — positions him well for the policy engagement component of the role. The appointment is likely to be followed by further India-specific hiring as OpenAI builds out its local team.
Point of View
Driver-union politics, and price-sensitive consumer base. The question is whether a US AI company can localise fast enough to compete with Microsoft-backed and Google-backed incumbents who already have deep enterprise relationships. Singh's regulatory experience is the most underrated part of this hire — India's AI governance framework is still being written, and the company that shapes those rules early will have a structural advantage.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Prabhjeet Singh and why is his OpenAI appointment significant?
Prabhjeet Singh is the former President of Uber India and South Asia, a role he held for over 11 years. His appointment as OpenAI's Managing Director for India signals the company's intent to build serious institutional depth in one of its fastest-growing markets.
When will Prabhjeet Singh join OpenAI?
Singh is expected to join OpenAI in September 2025. He will be based in India and report to Kiran Mani, Managing Director for Asia Pacific.
What will Prabhjeet Singh's role at OpenAI involve?
He will oversee consumer growth, enterprise adoption, strategic partnerships, regulatory engagement, and operations across India. He will also focus on building AI adoption partnerships with businesses, institutions, and government bodies.
Why is India a priority market for OpenAI?
India offers OpenAI a large English-speaking user base, a fast-growing startup ecosystem, and strong government interest in AI. The country is also a competitive battleground for global AI companies, making senior local leadership strategically critical.
What did Uber say about Prabhjeet Singh's departure?
An Uber spokesperson said the company thanks Singh for his 'leadership and lasting contributions' over his decade-long tenure and reaffirmed that India remains 'one of Uber's most important markets globally,' with the company committed to its next phase of growth there.
