An auto-rickshaw driver in Bengaluru, India, has gained attention for using OpenAI's ChatGPT to assist with his daily work, particularly for English translations and customer interactions. The driver, whose name has not been widely reported, uses the AI tool to communicate more effectively with passengers who speak English, a language he is not fully fluent in.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, responded to the story on social media with a playful message in a mix of English and Kannada, saying, 'Pookie uncle-ge help madakke always happy' (meaning 'Always happy to help Pookie uncle'). The response was widely shared and appreciated online.
The incident highlights the growing use of AI tools in everyday life in India, where technology is being adopted in innovative ways to bridge language barriers and improve services. Bengaluru, known as India's tech hub, has a large population of auto-rickshaw drivers who often interact with a diverse, multilingual customer base.
As of June 2026, ChatGPT remains a free-to-use tool for many basic functions, though OpenAI has introduced paid tiers for advanced features. The company has not commented further on this specific case.
