Sharma emphasised the need to redirect human effort towards core product development, as AI increasingly takes over repeatable tasks.
Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma has warned that the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on human jobs is inevitable — stating that the technology will soon become central to routine business operations, potentially replacing employees across functions, even as CFOs.
“Sooner or later we will have to start using AI as an employee or even as a CFO,” Sharma said at a recent AI-focused event in the capital. His comments reflect a growing trend among tech leaders who see large-scale automation as both an economic necessity and an opportunity, said a TOI report.
Sharma emphasised the need to redirect human effort towards core product development, as AI increasingly takes over repeatable tasks. According to him, companies that fail to integrate AI into their processes will struggle to compete in the evolving landscape.
From Fintech to AI-First
The Paytm chief outlined his broader vision of transforming One97 Communications — Paytm’s parent company — into an AI-first organisation. This pivot comes amidst internal restructuring and recent layoffs, partly driven by operational restrictions imposed by the Reserve Bank of India on Paytm Payments Bank.
ET reported that Paytm’s sales team headcount fell by about 3,500 in Q4 FY24, bringing the total to 36,521. Despite the cutbacks, Sharma remains optimistic about AI as a transformative force. “While AI may automate many roles, it will also create new ones,” he said.
A Rap Song to Track Expenses
As part of its push into AI innovation, Sharma also announced a quirky upcoming feature — a rap-song-based expense tracker. The new passbook feature will allow users to receive a rap-style summary of their monthly expenses, generated using Paytm’s transaction data. No official launch date has been shared, but Sharma said the feature would be available to users “soon”.
This creative use of AI is being positioned as part of Paytm’s customer engagement strategy, in a crowded UPI and digital finance ecosystem.
UPI Performance & Strategic Moves
In June 2025, Paytm stood third in UPI rankings, recording 1.27 billion transactions worth ₹1.34 lakh crore, capturing 6.9 per cent of volume and 5.6 per cent of transaction value. It trails behind PhonePe and Google Pay, both of whom continue to dominate UPI traffic.
Despite a consolidated net loss of ₹540 crore in Q4 FY24, Sharma remains bullish on Paytm’s tech-driven future. Earlier this year, the company also partnered with US-based AI startup Perplexity to integrate search and language AI tools into its app.
AI Transition Underway
Sharma’s remarks add to a growing narrative about AI reshaping India’s tech sector. As Paytm navigates regulatory headwinds and intensifying competition, its ability to innovate through AI may prove critical.
“Let’s not just chase growth. Let’s build foundational products that can stand the test of time — AI is that foundation,” Sharma said.
