If you’re not working in AI, you’re not working for the future of India: Paytm's Vijay Shekhar Sharma

Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma

Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma believes that the next big leap in technology and business belongs to artificial intelligence (AI), urging Indian entrepreneurs to move faster in seizing the opportunity.

“I have worked in the telecom operator industry, worked in payments, now I will start working in the AI,” Sharma said, indicating his next big bet after building Paytm.

Speaking at Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025 on October 7, Sharma said, “You aren’t working for the future if you’re not working in AI. We are underestimating the power of AI and the change it will bring.”

The Paytm founder added that while “major deals are happening in the Bay Area,” India is not engaging with AI at the scale it should.

“Our country is not playing the opportunity of AI at the level we need to,” he said, warning that the global technology race could leave Indian firms behind if they do not accelerate investment and innovation in AI.

Highlighting India’s potential, Sharma said what’s missing is belief and ambition, not capability.

“The day we believe that we can make something, given the amount of intelligence we have and the access to risk capital today, nothing can stop us,” he said.

Sharma’s remarks come at a time when Paytm has been navigating regulatory challenges since last year that have impacted its payments and financial services operations.

His renewed focus on AI signals that Paytm will work toward new areas of growth, even as the company works to stabilize its core business.