During the TiE Delhi NCR India Innovation Day – 2026, Pragya Misra, OpenAI's head of strategy and global affairs, urged Indian startups to avoid 'recency bias' and instead focus on addressing future challenges in an AI-first world. She stressed that startups must not merely aim for immediate survival but should anticipate the problems that will emerge in the coming months or years. Misra pointed out that companies providing basic customer service are particularly vulnerable to AI disruption, as evidenced by a report revealing that nearly 90% of mature AI adopters in India have reduced their spending on business process outsourcing.

Furthermore, Misra highlighted India's role as a testing ground for AI innovations, noting that insights gained from local users have significantly influenced OpenAI's global strategies. With 100 million weekly active users in India, the company recognizes the importance of adapting to diverse user needs. Additionally, OpenAI has partnered with notable educational institutions to train 100,000 individuals in AI integration, underscoring the necessity of technical depth in this evolving landscape. Misra concluded that while speed may offer temporary advantages, long-term success will depend on building robust technical foundations.