"AI is not just technology, it’s an opportunity": Raghav Chadha demands free ChatGPT, Gemini & Claude subscriptions for every Indian citizen
• New Delhi
Key Highlights
- AAP MP Raghav Chadha, during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, demanded that every Indian citizen should get free access to advanced AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.
- He cited examples of UAE, Singapore, and China, claiming they are offering free AI subscriptions to their citizens.
- According to Chadha, AI is not just a technology but an “opportunity” — to move forward, dream big, and fulfill aspirations.
- He argued that free access to AI can benefit farmers, students, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, and elderly citizens alike.
- AI is projected to become a $15 trillion industry by 2030, but India risks being left behind if accessibility remains limited.
What Exactly Did Raghav Chadha Say?
Speaking in Parliament, Raghav Chadha emphasized:
“AI is not just a technology but an opportunity—to move forward, to dream big, and to fulfil those dreams.”
He added that unless India ensures widespread access to AI tools, it risks falling behind in the global AI race by 2030.
(Livemint,
NDTV)
Highlighting AI’s role across sectors, he said:
“For farmers, AI can mean smart farming; for students, a 24×7 tutor; for entrepreneurs, a business planner; and for elderly citizens, daily assistance.”
(Free Press Journal)
Chadha pointed out that while AI has the potential to generate a $15 trillion market by 2030, more than 1.4 billion Indians are currently unable to access advanced AI tools due to high subscription costs. (ABP Live)
Why This Demand Matters
AI is no longer a luxury or optional technology — it is the backbone of the future economy. If provided free to citizens, the benefits could be transformational:
- Smart Farming: Farmers could use AI for precision agriculture, weather modeling, and market predictions.
- Equal Education: Students across rural and urban India could access 24/7 AI tutors, homework support, and career guidance.
- Boost to MSMEs: Small and medium businesses could leverage AI for market research, product design, and business planning.
- Support for Elderly Citizens: AI assistants could help the elderly with daily reminders, medical information, and companionship.
- Digital Democracy: Free AI access ensures that knowledge and innovation are not restricted to the privileged few.
Are UAE, Singapore, and China Really Offering Free AI?
Raghav Chadha cited UAE, Singapore, and China as examples where AI subscriptions are made available for free or at subsidized rates. While there is limited evidence that these nations provide full-scale free access to premium AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude, they are indeed integrating AI into education systems, government services, and digital infrastructure on a national scale. This strategic push is aimed at making AI a public utility, much like the internet.
India, he argued, cannot afford to lag behind, especially when global competitors are equipping their citizens with next-generation technology.
Potential Impact if Implemented in India
- Productivity Surge: Millions of Indians could save time and enhance output using AI-powered tools for writing, coding, and decision-making.
- Closing the Digital Divide: Free AI access could empower rural communities, ensuring inclusivity in the digital revolution.
- Boost to Startups & Innovation: Entrepreneurs would gain AI-driven insights, enabling them to compete globally.
- Better Healthcare & Education: AI-based tutors, diagnostic tools, and advisory systems could fill the gaps in India’s public service sectors.
- Global Competitiveness: By democratizing AI, India could position itself as a global innovation hub in the $15 trillion AI economy.
Challenges and Concerns
While Chadha’s proposal is visionary, there are practical concerns:
- Funding: Premium AI tools like ChatGPT Plus or Gemini Advanced cost billions in licensing. Who will bear the cost if made free?
- Data Privacy: Free AI access at scale raises questions about data protection and surveillance.
- Localization: Most advanced AI tools are English-dominated. Significant investment is needed to adapt AI for Indian languages.
- Dependence on Foreign Companies: Relying on US-based or Chinese AI platforms could make India vulnerable. Indigenous AI solutions may need prioritization.
Conclusion
Raghav Chadha’s demand is not just about technology—it’s about empowering citizens and shaping India’s digital future. If the government takes steps to ensure free or subsidized AI access for every Indian, it could mark the beginning of a new era of digital democracy.
As Chadha rightly put it:
“AI is not just a technology, it is an opportunity.”
For India, that opportunity could mean bridging inequalities, driving innovation, and unlocking the dreams of 1.4 billion people.
