OpenAI has announced the appointment of Kiran Mani as Managing Director for APAC, based in Singapore, signaling a strategic push to expand the company’s footprint across Asia-Pacific. With over 25 years of experience at Google, Microsoft, IBM, and most recently JioStar, Mani has led Android and Google Play operations across APAC and played a pivotal role in the Viacom18 Media Private Limited–Star India merger.
Reporting to Jason Kwon, Mani will drive regional growth, strategic partnerships, and market adoption of OpenAI’s products, including GPT, Codex, and enterprise AI solutions. His expertise in scaling digital platforms and AI ecosystems positions him to strengthen OpenAI’s presence across emerging markets while fostering innovation, compliance, and localized adoption strategies.
Asia-Pacific represents one of the fastest-growing markets for AI adoption, and leadership with deep tech, media, and operational experience is critical for navigating regulatory, cultural, and commercial complexities. Mani’s appointment underscores OpenAI’s ambition to expand responsibly and strategically across the region.
Bottom line: With Kiran Mani at the helm in APAC, OpenAI is set to accelerate AI adoption, enterprise partnerships, and localized innovation, strengthening its position as a global leader in AI technologies.
