PhonePe partners with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to millions of Indian users
PhonePe is starting to slip OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its payment app. The idea is to give the millions of Indian users who already use PhonePe for daily buys a way to chat with the AI while they pay. It looks like the fintech firm wants more than just a basic chatbot - they’re trying to see what a big language model can do in a market that’s quite different from where it was first released.
The partnership should let shoppers ask questions in plain language, but it also leaves us wondering how a service that handles huge transaction volumes will keep the model running smoothly. Both companies say the move will get more people used to AI and help hit their growth goals. Rahul Chari, founder, whole-time director and CTO of PhonePe, told reporters the firm has “spent years building the foundational layers for digital services at population scale.” He added,
The collaboration will help accelerate consumer exposure to ChatGPT and support the business goals of both companies.. Rahul Chari, founder, whole-time director and CTO of PhonePe, said the company has "spent years building the foundational layers for digital services at population scale." He added, "This strategic alliance demonstrates that collaborations between innovative companies in this space can help expand the reach of cutting-edge technology to the broader population. We are excited to partner with OpenAI to begin this journey." Oliver Jay, head of international at OpenAI, said the partnership marks progress toward the company's goal of increasing AI access in India.
"Our collaboration with PhonePe is a significant milestone in our mission to make AI more accessible to people throughout India," he said. "India is a global hub for innovation, and PhonePe's deep understanding of the country's fabric and its user base make them the ideal partner. This partnership will demonstrate the value of consumer AI across India, helping millions of users enhance their daily lives." OpenAI recently announced that users in India will receive one year of free access to ChatGPT Go, effective from November 4.
PhonePe said it will work with OpenAI to slip ChatGPT into its consumer and business apps, even the Indus Appstore. The idea is to let people ask the model for things like travel plans or shopping help. Rahul Chari, the founder and CTO, mentioned that the company has been building digital services for a huge user base for years, so they think they’re ready for a big AI push.
He added that the tie-up should get more Indians using ChatGPT and move both firms toward their goals. Still, we don’t really know how many users will actually adopt it; the release didn’t give any forecasts or pricing details. And while the move hints at fresh use cases as generative AI spreads, it’s not clear how privacy, data security or regulation will be handled.
Bottom line: PhonePe gets a new set of features, but the real impact will hinge on a lot of unknowns the announcement leaves out.
Further Reading
- PhonePe and OpenAI team up to bring ChatGPT deeper into India's digital life - Gadget Bridge
- PhonePe collaborates with OpenAI to roll out ChatGPT features for Indian users - Economic Times
- PhonePe Partners with OpenAI to Bring ChatGPT to Millions of Indian Users - Gogi.in
- PhonePe Teams Up with OpenAI to Bring ChatGPT to Indian Users - Silicon India
- PhonePe Announces Strategic Collaboration with OpenAI to Bring ChatGPT to Indian Users at Scale - PhonePe (Press Release)
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Common Questions Answered
How will PhonePe integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its payment app for Indian users?
PhonePe will embed ChatGPT directly within its payment application, allowing users to interact with the AI for tasks like travel planning, shopping assistance, and other financial queries. This integration aims to provide a seamless conversational experience to the millions of Indians already using PhonePe for everyday transactions.
What role does Rahul Chari play in the PhonePe‑OpenAI partnership?
Rahul Chari, the founder, whole‑time director, and CTO of PhonePe, highlighted the company’s years of building foundational digital services at population scale and described the collaboration as a strategic alliance to expand cutting‑edge AI technology to a broader audience.
Which platforms besides the main PhonePe app will feature the embedded ChatGPT model?
In addition to the primary PhonePe payment app, the ChatGPT model will be available on PhonePe’s consumer and business platforms, including the Indus Appstore, enabling users across multiple services to leverage generative AI capabilities.
What potential benefits does the partnership promise for consumers and businesses?
The collaboration is expected to accelerate consumer exposure to ChatGPT, enhance shopping experiences with AI‑driven recommendations, and support PhonePe’s business goals by offering advanced AI tools for both shoppers and merchants, thereby deepening the fintech’s AI capabilities beyond simple chat‑bots.