NEW DELHI, Feb. 19 -- The cost of deploying and running artificial intelligence (AI) applications is falling at an exponential pace, potentially making AI tools affordable at scale across India sooner than expected, according to Sam Altman, co-founder and chief executive of OpenAI, one of the world's most valuable startups.

Altman also dismissed the idea that companies like his would "kill" software and technology services firms, even as AI automates large parts of their core work.

"I am optimistic that we are going to drive prices down more than anyone thinks is possible or reasonable or likely. Using AI can become absolutely cheaper for India to use at scale, and we are moving actively in this direction," Altman said, speaking at a ro...