Mumbai: OpenAI has appointed Kiran Mani, Chief Executive Officer of JioStar, as its Managing Director for Asia-Pacific, signalling a sharper strategic focus on high-growth markets across the region. The move also marks the first top-level executive exit from JioStar, the newly formed media giant created through the mega merger of Star India and Viacom18.
Media reports reveal that Mani is set to take on the new role in June and will be based in Singapore. In his capacity as Managing Director for Asia-Pacific, he will report to OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon. The development was communicated internally at JioStar through an email from Vice Chairman Uday Shankar.
The transition comes at a time when OpenAI is intensifying its global expansion efforts, particularly beyond its strongholds in the United States and Europe. Asia-Pacific has emerged as a critical growth frontier, driven by large, digitally connected populations in markets such as India and rising enterprise demand for artificial intelligence-led solutions.
Mani’s move underscores the increasing convergence between the digital media ecosystem and the rapidly evolving AI sector. His departure from JioStar reflects a broader shift as senior leaders from traditional and streaming-led businesses transition into AI-driven roles.
With over two decades of experience in technology and digital platforms, Mani brings significant expertise to OpenAI’s regional ambitions. Before leading JioStar, he spent more than 13 years at Google, where he served as General Manager for Android and Google Play across Asia-Pacific and Japan. His earlier career includes stints at Microsoft and IBM.
At OpenAI, Mani is expected to play a key role in shaping the company’s Asia-Pacific strategy, with a focus on localising products, building strategic partnerships, and expanding adoption of generative AI solutions across diverse markets.
The appointment comes amid intensifying competition in the AI space, with global players such as Anthropic and Google accelerating their efforts to scale generative AI technologies. As the race heats up, OpenAI’s leadership investment in the region highlights its intent to secure a stronger foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies.
