Artificial intelligence is becoming more personal and accessible for Indian users. OpenAI just took a major step in this direction by introducing two new, natural-sounding Hindi voices named Neer and Leher for its popular ChatGPT Voice feature.
Meet Neer and Leher
As part
of a recent update to its voice model, officially called GPT-Live-1.1, OpenAI has rolled out Neer and Leher, two distinct Hindi voices. This move is designed to make spoken conversations with the AI feel more natural and familiar for Hindi-speaking users. The new voices are not just a simple language addition; they are part of a 'Hindi-tuned model' aimed at improving pronunciation and providing a more authentic conversational experience. This update also brings better handling of 'Hinglish', recognizing the common practice of mixing Hindi and English words in a single conversation, which is a key aspect of how many Indians communicate daily. The two voices, along with others for languages like French, German, and Japanese, are being gradually rolled out to all ChatGPT users on mobile apps and the web.
A Strategic 'India-First' Push
The introduction of Neer and Leher is a clear signal of OpenAI's growing focus on India, a market that has quickly become one of its most important. Executives have highlighted that India is an 'Android-first' and 'voice-first' market, where user behaviour is shaping the company's product development priorities. Recognizing that many Indians prefer voice notes and spoken commands over typing, OpenAI is investing in making its voice interactions more robust and reliable, even in areas with intermittent internet connectivity. This product localization is part of a wider 'OpenAI for India' initiative announced earlier this year, which includes building local AI data centres with partners like Tata Group and expanding its physical presence with offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru. With over 100 million weekly users in India as of early 2026, the company sees a massive opportunity in tailoring its powerful AI tools to the specific needs of the Indian population.
Why Vernacular AI Is a Game-Changer
For years, the digital world has been overwhelmingly English-centric. In a country like India, with 22 official languages and hundreds of dialects, this creates a significant barrier for hundreds of millions of people. The push towards vernacular AI—creating artificial intelligence that can understand and respond in local languages—is about more than convenience; it's about digital inclusion. When technology speaks a user's native tongue, it builds trust and makes services in sectors like education, healthcare, and e-commerce far more accessible. For businesses, a 'vernacular-first' strategy allows them to connect with a vast, untapped consumer base in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The falling cost of voice technology and the widespread use of platforms like WhatsApp are accelerating this shift, making it possible to deploy AI assistants that can serve customers in languages like Hindi, Tamil, and Gujarati.
How to Use the New Hindi Voices
Accessing Neer and Leher in ChatGPT is straightforward. First, ensure your ChatGPT app on iOS or Android is updated to the latest version. Then, navigate to the 'Settings' menu within the app, and select the 'Voice' option. Here, you should see a list of available voices. If the update has reached your account, Neer and Leher will be listed as Hindi options. Simply select one of them to set it as your default AI voice. Once selected, you can start a voice conversation by tapping the headphone icon. You can speak to ChatGPT in Hindi, English, or a mix of both, and it will respond in the voice you have chosen. Keep in mind that the rollout can vary by region and account, so if you don't see the new voices immediately, they should appear in the coming days or weeks.
