SUMMARY

Terming AI sovereignty equal to virginity, Sharma stated that India mustn’t give its AI sovereignty to the overseas world in any respect

Sharma additionally stated that India’s AI ecosystem lacks perception and ambition, and never functionality

This got here on the identical day as Paytm introduced the launch of its AI-powered soundbox, which may work together with retailers in 11 native languages

Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma yesterday stated that he’s “uncomforted” by India not successfully leveraging alternatives in synthetic intelligence (AI) at scale. 

“We’re underestimating the facility of AI. Startups within the Bay Space (US) are elevating billions of {dollars} and we, again residence, should not bothered about it… I’m uncomforted by the truth that our nation will not be taking part in the chance of AI at a scale we have to play,” stated Sharma throughout a fireplace chat on the World Fintech Fest 2025. 

Noting that India has lengthy relied on methods made within the US all through its technological evolution, he referred to as for trimming this dependence and constructing a homegrown “working system” (OS) for the AI age. 

Sharma additionally stated that India ought to defend its AI sovereignty in any respect prices. 

“AI sovereignty is equal to virginity in a manner. India mustn’t give its sovereignty of AI to the overseas world in any respect. In my perception, we, as a rustic, are succesful and can construct it,” he added.

Sharma additionally exuded confidence that what’s lacking in India is perception and ambition, not functionality. Slamming the oft-quoted narrative that there was lack of patient-capital for Indian AI startups, the Paytm CEO urged founders to construct homegrown AI options. 

“… For the primary time, we even have entry to threat capital. In comparison with 2005 and 2015, capital influx has quite elevated, if not much less. Now’s the time for every of us, and particularly the tech entrepreneurs, to take the guess that we’ll not let our firm change into managed by another nation’s AI,” added Sharma. 

In response to a query, the Paytm CEO additionally stated that the fintech firm will work on AI in 2025, including that Paytm will undertake a more moderen model id for the AI providers. He, nevertheless, didn’t elaborate additional on this.

This got here on the identical day as Paytm introduced the launch of its AI-powered soundbox for small and medium companies. Launched on the sidelines of the GFF 2025, the gadget comes with an AI assistant that interacts with retailers in 11 native languages, offering actual time insights and solutions modeled on their funds and enterprise efficiency. 

The corporate claimed that the soundbox, constructed on Android, will assist retailers monitor collections and handle their enterprise simply via each voice and display. Outfitted with twin shows, together with a entrance touchscreen for simple interplay and a high show for immediate updates, the Paytm AI Soundbox additionally helps QR and card transactions.

With this, the fintech big has aggressively scaled up its AI-led choices. In September final yr, Sharma stated that Paytm was absolutely dedicated to integrating AI in its core enterprise cost. 

The firm is already utilizing the expertise for advertising and marketing in addition to to automate buyer care operations. Moreover, it additionally partnered with AI search engine Perplexity earlier this yr to offer customers with real-time monetary help on its app.

On the monetary entrance, Paytm swung to the black in Q1 FY26 and clocked a consolidated web revenue of INR 122.5 Cr towards a web lack of INR 840.1 Cr within the year-ago quarter. In the meantime, income from operations additionally grew 28% to INR 1,918 Cr throughout the quarter beneath evaluation from INR 1,502 Cr in Q1 FY25.