AI startup picks seasoned tech leader as it prepares Bengaluru launch
U.S. artificial intelligence firm Anthropic has appointed former Irina Ghose most recently managing director of Microsoft India as its new Managing Director for India, the company said on Friday. Ghose’s appointment comes as Anthropic readies the opening of its first office in Bengaluru and strengthens its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing AI markets.
Ghose brings over three decades of experience in scaling technology businesses and driving enterprise adoption of AI. At Microsoft India, she led large teams and helped grow enterprise cloud, AI, and education solutions across sectors including banking, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare and government before leaving the company at the end of 2025 after a 24-year tenure.
Strategic importance of India for Anthropic
Anthropic’s expansion in India reflects the country’s rising importance in the global AI landscape. India is cited as the second-largest market for Anthropic’s flagship AI model Claude.ai, particularly for technical applications like programming and enterprise use cases. The Bengaluru office opening expected in early 2026 will help the company deepen engagement with Indian enterprises, developers and strategic partners.
The move comes amid intensifying competition among global AI companies for talent and customers in India, where local adoption of generative AI tools continues to accelerate. With Ghose at the helm locally, Anthropic aims to tap into India’s large user base and growing demand for responsible, safety-oriented AI solutions.
Her appointment underscores the broader trend of AI firms investing in regional leadership and infrastructure to support adoption, enterprise partnerships, and government engagement in critical markets.
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