Meta VP Sandhya Devanathan Joins OpenAI Amid India Scrutiny

Key Takeaways

• Sandhya Devanathan left Meta after a decade to join ChatGPT maker OpenAI.
• She will oversee growth, enterprise adoption, and regulatory engagement from Singapore.
• OpenAI recently appointed former Uber executive Prabhjeet Singh as its India head.
• Meta's India MD Arun Srinivas will now report directly to APAC VP Benjamin Joe.
• The departure comes amidst heightened regulatory scrutiny on Meta by Indian authorities.

Sandhya Devanathan Transitions from Meta to OpenAI

Sandhya Devanathan, Meta's Vice President for India and Southeast Asia, has resigned after more than a decade at the social media giant to join OpenAI, according to a report by TechCrunch.

Devanathan will be based in Singapore and report to Kiran Mani, OpenAI's Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region. Her move highlights OpenAI's aggressive talent acquisition strategy across emerging technology hubs.

Expanding OpenAI's Footprint in Asia-Pacific

In her new executive role, Devanathan will lead consumer growth, enterprise adoption, strategic partnerships, regulatory affairs, and operational strategy across Southeast Asia and Australia.

Her appointment comes shortly after OpenAI named former Uber executive Prabhjeet Singh as its India head. Over the past two years, the AI firm has established a strong physical presence across Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Delhi.

Management Shifts and Regulatory Pressure at Meta

Following Devanathan's exit, Meta India Managing Director Arun Srinivas will report directly to Benjamin Joe, Meta's Vice President for Asia-Pacific.

Devanathan’s departure coincides with growing regulatory scrutiny facing Meta in India. Authorities in New Delhi have recently raised sharp concerns regarding content moderation policies, child safety, and platform oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sandhya Devanathan and what is her new role?

Sandhya Devanathan is the former VP for India and Southeast Asia at Meta. She has joined OpenAI to oversee consumer growth, enterprise adoption, and regulatory relations across Southeast Asia and Australia.

Why is Meta facing regulatory scrutiny in India?

Meta is facing pressure from Indian authorities over online safety, content moderation policies, child safety concerns, and recent platform moderation errors.

Who is leading OpenAI's operations in India?

Prabhjeet Singh, a former senior Uber executive, was recently appointed as OpenAI's head for India.

Originally reported by TechCrunch. Enhanced and optimized for search by TechVeb.