Anthropic Appoints Microsoft Veteran Irina Ghose to Lead India Expansion With Bengaluru Office

Anthropic taps former Microsoft India MD to lead Bengaluru expansion | TechCrunch

Anthropic has appointed Irina Ghose, a former Microsoft India managing director, to lead its India business as the U.S. AI startup prepares to open an office in Bengaluru. The move underscores how India is becoming a key battleground for AI companies looking to expand beyond the U.S. for major growth markets. Ghose brings deep big-tech operating experience to the role. She spent 24 years at Microsoft before stepping down in December 2025. Her appointment gives Anthropic a seasoned executive with local enterprise and government relationships as it gears up to establish an on-the-ground presence in one of the world's fastest-growing AI markets. India has become one of Anthropic's most strategically important markets, with the country already ranking as the second-largest user base for Claude and usage heavily skewing toward technical and work-related tasks, including software development. Arch-rival OpenAI is also sharpening its focus on the market with plans to open an office in New Delhi -- a sign India is fast becoming one of the most contested arenas in the global race to commercialize generative AI. While India offers enormous scale -- with more than a billion internet subscribers and over 700 million smartphone users -- converting that reach into meaningful revenue has proven difficult, pushing AI companies to experiment with aggressive pricing and promotions. OpenAI last year introduced ChatGPT Go, its under-$5 plan aimed at attracting Indian users, and later made it available free for a year in the country. Similar dynamics are playing out for Anthropic: its Claude app recorded a 48% increase from the previous year in downloads in India in September, reaching about 767,000 installs, while consumer spending surged 572% to $195,000 for the month, per Appfigures -- still modest compared with the U.S., where September spending hit $2.5 million. Anthropic has been stepping up its engagement in India at the highest levels. Chief executive Dario Amodei visited in October and met corporate executives and lawmakers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to discuss the company's expansion plans and growing adoption of its tools. Anthropic had also explored a potential partnership with billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries to broaden access to Claude, as TechCrunch reported previously. Reliance, however, ultimately struck a deal with Google to offer its Gemini AI Pro plan free to Jio subscribers. That move came as rival Bharti Airtel partnered with Perplexity to bundle access to its premium subscription, underscoring how India's telecom giants have become critical distribution gatekeepers in the race to scale consumer AI services. In a LinkedIn post announcing the move, Ghose said she would focus on working with Indian enterprises, developers and startups adopting Claude for "mission-critical" use cases, pointing to growing demand for what she described as "high-trust, enterprise-grade AI." She added that AI tailored to local languages could be a "force multiplier" across sectors including education and healthcare -- signaling Anthropic's intent to deepen adoption beyond early tech users into larger institutions and the public sector. The push by Anthropic, OpenAI, and Perplexity comes as India's homegrown GenAI ecosystem remains relatively early-stage. While the country has a deep pool of software talent and a fast-growing base of AI users, it has produced few startups building large foundation models, with investors instead largely backing application-layer companies rather than committing the scale of capital typically required to train frontier systems. The appointment also comes ahead of India's AI Impact Summit 2026 in February, where the Indian government is expected to bring together AI startups, global CEOs, and industry experts to discuss the next phase of AI deployment in the country. The summit is part of New Delhi's broader effort to signal support for domestic AI development and position India as a serious player in the global AI landscape, as competition intensifies across major markets. Anthropic is also building out its India team, with job listings for roles including startup and enterprise account executives as well as a partner sales manager, signaling a push to deepen its go-to-market efforts and tap Indian businesses and startups as customers as it expands its presence in the country. For Anthropic, the hire adds senior local leadership as it looks to turn India's surging usage into a durable business, navigating a market where distribution partnerships, pricing pressure, and enterprise adoption will shape which AI players emerge as long-term winners.

Anthropic appoints Microsoft veteran Irina Ghose as India MD

BENGALURU, Jan 16 - Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic has appointed former Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab executive Irina Ghose as its managing director for India, the company said on Friday. Ghose served as managing director for Microsoft's India business, a role she held for two years before leaving the company in December 2025, following a 24-year career at the U.S. tech major. Anthropic, which is backed by Alphabet's Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab and Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab, is set to open its first India office in Bengaluru in early 2026. The country is currently the second-largest market for the company's AI chatbot Claude, with usage primarily focused on technical applications such as programming. India, home to more than a billion internet users, has become a hotly contested arena for global tech players as enterprise and consumer usage of AI ramps up in the country. Reporting by Abhirami G in Bengaluru; Editing by Harikrishnan Nair Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Irina Ghose Appointed Anthropic's India MD Ahead of Bengaluru Office Opening | AIM

Ghose comes with more than 30 years of experience in building and scaling technology businesses. Anthropic has appointed Irina Ghose as the managing director in India, as the company prepares to open its first office in Bengaluru. Ghose joins Anthropic with more than 30 years of experience in building and scaling technology businesses. Previously, she held the post of managing director at Microsoft India, where she led enterprise AI adoption across sectors, including banking, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and government. "India has a real opportunity to shape how AI is built and deployed at scale," Ghose said. "Indian organisations are moving beyond experimentation towards applied AI, where trust, safety, and long-term impact matter as much as innovation." Anthropic said Ghose will lead its expansion in India, including team growth and engagement with public and private sector organisations. "Irina's expertise in scaling technology businesses and driving enterprise transformation makes her the ideal leader as we expand," said Chris Ciauri, the managing director of international at Anthropic. "As we grow our teams and deepen engagement across India's public and private sectors, Irina will ensure our approach is grounded in local insight and aligned with our mission." The company said its India team will work with policymakers and academic institutions, strengthen developer engagement, and build partnerships with enterprises using AI to address local challenges. India is the second-largest global market for Claude.ai, Anthropic's AI assistant. According to Anthropic's fourth Economic Index, nearly half of Claude.ai usage in India is concentrated in computer science and mathematical tasks, reflecting a strong focus on technical applications.

Anthropic appoints Microsoft veteran Irina Ghose to lead India expansion

Anthropic appointed Irina Ghose, former Microsoft India managing director, to lead its India business as the company prepares to open an office in Bengaluru. Ghose, with 24 years at Microsoft until December 2025, provides big-tech operating experience and local enterprise and government relationships. Ghose spent 24 years at Microsoft, rising to managing director for India before her departure. Her extensive tenure equipped her with operational expertise in the Indian market. This background positions her to establish Anthropic's on-the-ground presence in Bengaluru, targeting one of the world's fastest-growing AI markets through established connections with enterprises and government entities. India ranks as Anthropic's second-largest user base for its Claude AI model. Usage in the country centers on technical and work-related tasks, such as software development. This concentration reflects enterprise-oriented applications driving adoption. OpenAI plans to open an office in New Delhi, directing resources toward India amid the global competition to commercialize generative AI. Both companies recognize India's scale, with more than one billion internet subscribers and over 700 million smartphone users providing vast potential reach. Monetizing this scale remains challenging for AI firms. Companies respond with aggressive pricing strategies and promotions. OpenAI launched ChatGPT Go, priced under $5 monthly to draw Indian users, and subsequently offered it free for one year exclusively in the country. Anthropic observes parallel trends. Its Claude app saw downloads in India rise 48 percent year-over-year in September, totaling approximately 767,000 installs. Consumer spending on the app jumped 572 percent to $195,000 that month, according to Appfigures data. This figure contrasts with United States spending of $2.5 million in September. Anthropic's chief executive, Dario Amodei, visited India in October. He met corporate executives, lawmakers, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions covered the company's expansion plans and increasing adoption of its AI tools among users. Anthropic pursued a potential partnership with Reliance Industries, owned by Mukesh Ambani, to expand Claude access. Reliance instead finalized a deal with Google, providing Google's AI Pro plan free to Jio subscribers. Bharti Airtel formed a partnership with Perplexity, bundling access to Perplexity's premium subscription for Airtel customers. These arrangements demonstrate telecom giants' role as distribution channels for consumer AI services in India. In her LinkedIn post announcing the appointment, Ghose outlined her priorities. She plans to collaborate with Indian enterprises, developers, and startups using Claude for mission-critical use cases. Ghose highlighted demand for high-trust, enterprise-grade AI. She described AI tailored to local languages as a force multiplier across sectors including education and healthcare.

Anthropic appoints Irina Ghose as Managing Director of India

AI research firm Anthropic has appointed Irina Ghose as its India Managing Director, signaling a strengthened commitment to the region. Ghose, with over three decades of tech leadership experience, will drive responsible AI deployment as India's usage of Claude.ai ranks second globally. The company will also officially open its Bengaluru office in February. Bengaluru: AI research and development company Anthropic has appointed Irina Ghose the managing director of India, strengthening the company's commitment to India as responsible AI deployment accelerates amongst developers, enterprises, and the broader innovation ecosystem, the company said in a statement on Friday. Ghose brings more than three decades of experience in scaling technology businesses. She most recently served as managing director, Microsoft India, where she led enterprise AI adoption across major Indian industries including BFSI, manufacturing, healthcare, technology services, and government. Her career spans leadership roles across sales, enterprise solutions, education, and go-to-market strategy, with a consistent focus on using technology to drive meaningful business and societal impact. "India has a real opportunity to shape how AI is built and deployed at scale," said Irina Ghose, Managing Director of India, Anthropic. "Indian organisations are moving beyond experimentation toward applied AI, where trust, safety, and long-term impact matter as much as innovation. Anthropic's mission resonates with my belief that technology should empower people, expand access, and create lasting value across India's diverse languages and communities." "Irina's expertise in scaling technology businesses and driving enterprise transformation makes her the ideal leader as we expand," said Chris Ciauri, Managing Director of International, Anthropic. "As we grow our teams and deepen engagement across India's public and private sectors, Irina will ensure our approach is grounded in local insight and aligned with our mission." India ranks as the second-largest market globally for usage of Anthropic's flagship product Claude.ai, a large language model. The company also announced that Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and several senior executives will travel to India in February to officially open Anthropic's office in Bengaluru. Anthropic's growing team in India will allow the company to deepen its engagement with policymakers and academic institutions, strengthen relationships with enterprises, and build partnerships with developers and organizations using AI to address local challenges. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

Anthropic appoints Microsoft veteran Irina Ghose as India MD

BENGALURU, Jan 16 - Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic has appointed former Microsoft executive Irina Ghose as its managing director for India, the company said on Friday. Ghose served as managing director for Microsoft's India business, a role she held for two years before leaving the company in December 2025, following a 24-year career at the U.S. tech major. Anthropic, which is backed by Alphabet's Google and Amazon, is set to open its first India office in Bengaluru in early 2026. The country is currently the second-largest market for the company's AI chatbot Claude, with usage primarily focused on technical applications such as programming. India, home to more than a billion internet users, has become a hotly contested arena for global tech players as enterprise and consumer usage of AI ramps up in the country. (Reporting by Abhirami G in Bengaluru; Editing by Harikrishnan Nair)