In a significant move to enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) presence in emerging markets, Google has partnered with Reliance Industries—led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani—to offer its AI Pro subscription bundled with Jio 5G plans at no additional cost. This collaboration aims to provide eligible Jio users with 18 months of complimentary access to Google’s AI Pro features, underscoring the growing importance of India as a critical market for global tech companies.
On Thursday, Google announced the initiative, which follows a recent similar collaboration between competitor Perplexity and Reliance’s rival, Bharti Airtel, which serves over 360 million subscribers. India’s positioning as the most populous country and a rapidly growing internet market makes it an enticing target for tech giants, offering vast opportunities for data collection and AI model testing.
Jio Offer Details
Initially available to users aged 18 to 25, the free access will eventually roll out to all Jio subscribers. Key features of the offer include:
- Access to Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro model through the Gemini app
- Increased limits for generating AI images and videos via Nano Banana and Veo 3.1
- Expanded utilization of Notebook LM for studies and research
- 2 TB of cloud storage encompassing Google Photos, Gmail, Drive, and WhatsApp backups
“This partnership aims to deliver enriched local experiences powered by AI to Jio users,” Reliance stated, emphasizing the collaborative exploration of new avenues in AI engagement.
The free offer, valued at approximately ₹35,100 (around $396), contrasts with the usual monthly fee of ₹1,950 (around $22) for Google’s AI Pro plan in India, which also previously included a month-long free trial.
Strategic Market Expansion
Beyond consumer offerings, Reliance has joined forces with Google Cloud to expand access to its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) within India. Reliance Intelligence, the company’s AI subsidiary, will partner strategically with Google Cloud to advance Gemini Enterprise’s development for Indian organizations and will create pre-built AI agents on the platform.
“Today’s announcement will empower consumers, businesses, and India’s innovative developer community with Google’s advanced AI tools,” stated Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet.
During its 48th annual general meeting in August, Reliance underscored its commitment to strengthening AI infrastructure in India through Reliance Intelligence, adding that it is collaborating with both Google and Meta to establish a joint venture with an investment of ₹8.55 billion (around $100 million).
Market Dynamics
On the competitive front, OpenAI recently revealed plans to provide free access to its ChatGPT Go plan in India, starting November 4. Tech leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic are increasingly investing in understanding local user behavior, further solidifying India’s status as a key emerging market.
Earlier this year, Google also provided a year-long free subscription to its AI Pro plan for Indian students, fostering early adoption in the region. With India’s adoption of US-developed AI platforms already significant, the latest bundling offers could greatly enhance market penetration for generative AI technologies.
“Collaborating with long-term strategic partners like Google, we aspire to transform India into a hub of AI empowerment—one where every individual and business can leverage intelligent tools to innovate and thrive,” asserted Ambani.
