The rapid evolution of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is continuously reshaping our interactions with technology. What began with impressive conversational chatbots in 2023 quickly moved to captivating AI-generated images and videos in 2024. Now, as we approach 2026, AI is poised to revolutionize everyday tasks, like ordering groceries and making payments, all through a simple text command. And soon, you might be able to experience this firsthand.
Introducing Agentic UPI Payments on ChatGPT: A Game Changer
At the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025, Razorpay announced a groundbreaking collaboration with OpenAI and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to bring AI-powered Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions directly into ChatGPT. Currently a pilot project, the initiative is already inviting users for early access.
Imagine this: you simply tell ChatGPT your grocery list. The AI then places your order on platforms such as BigBasket and completes the payment, all without you ever leaving the chat interface. This means no more navigating through multiple product pages, proceeding to checkout, or manually entering your UPI PIN. Just communicate your needs to ChatGPT, and it handles the rest.
How Does This Intelligent Payment System Operate?
Behind this seamless conversational shopping experience lies a sophisticated AI architecture. It leverages OpenAI’s advanced large language models (LLMs) with “agentic” capabilities, seamlessly connecting with NPCI’s robust network, integrating with various vendor interfaces, and securely linking to your personal UPI account.
This intricate network enables the AI to perform multiple actions simultaneously. For instance, it can efficiently select the correct products from a grocer’s inventory, navigate through complex checkout processes, and provide real-time updates to you in a natural, conversational style. This is achieved through the use of AI agents – specialized mini-chatbots designed to complete specific tasks. By combining multiple agents, the system can execute diverse actions concurrently and at an accelerated pace.
Razorpay Co-Founder and CEO, Harshil Mathur, showcased a demo of this process in a public post. The demonstration highlighted how users simply articulate their desires to ChatGPT and then approve or deny the AI’s suggestions. The system handles all subsequent steps, presumably after receiving your consent to access UPI ID and BigBasket account details. While BigBasket is the initial partner, Razorpay anticipates expanding its partnerships with more UPI providers and e-commerce platforms, broadening the scope of this innovative feature.
Should We Be Concerned About AI Managing Our Transactions?
It’s natural to have reservations. While ChatGPT is far from becoming a sentient superintelligence, granting it access to personal accounts, including sensitive UPI details, raises legitimate concerns. However, this payment integration is part of OpenAI’s larger strategy to introduce an “apps” feature within ChatGPT, allowing users to perform actions across various applications like Canva, Spotify, and Zillow without leaving the chatbot environment.
OpenAI claims that the feature will only gather the minimal data required, and the entire process adheres to an open-source protocol, promising a high degree of transparency. Nevertheless, you will still be entrusting the chatbot with basic account information and authorizing it to conduct financial transactions on your behalf.
This opens the door to potential security vulnerabilities, such as data breaches, prompt injection attacks designed to extract sensitive information, and privacy violations stemming from data collection or leaks through third-party integrations.
The risks are undeniable, yet so is the unparalleled convenience of automating repetitive tasks like grocery shopping. Ultimately, widespread user adoption will hinge on strong reassurances from regulatory bodies, transparent operations from the AI provider and its partners, and the implementation of enhanced security measures to shield users from cyber threats.