The 100 Most Influential People in AI - 2025 Edition India
Pragya Misra
Public Policy & Partnerships Lead for India, OpenAI

Photo — OpenAI
Pragya Misra is OpenAI’s first employee in India, shaping the intersection of AI, policy, and society. Appointed in April 2024, she charges ahead, leading public policy and partnerships to bring OpenAI’s vision of safe and inclusive AI to the world’s second-largest ChatGPT user base.
Before OpenAI, Misra led public affairs at Truecaller, collaborating extensively with government, civil society, media, and investors to strengthen digital trust in India. Earlier, she was WhatsApp’s first hire in India, managing communications during major rollouts and misinformation crises, helping double its user base in the country.
She also co-founded a startup, holds an MBA from the International Management Institute (2012), and earned a Diploma in Bargaining and Negotiations from LSE, besides a commerce degree from Delhi University.
At OpenAI, she serves as the bridge between India’s digital ecosystem and AI’s global frontiers, advocating for affordable token pricing, multilingual tools, and AI applications tailored to sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare.
Misra’s influence extends beyond policy corridors. She hosts The Pragyaan Podcast, is a heartfulness meditation trainer, and was among India’s top‑ranked amateur golfers, representing the country internationally.
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