ChatGPT Make UPI Payments
In a significant move that blurs the lines between conversational AI and e-commerce, OpenAI has launched a pilot program enabling ChatGPT users in India to make purchases directly within the chatbot using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Announced on October 9, this collaboration between OpenAI, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and Razorpay could be one of those moments that quietly rewrites how we shop online.
A post on X by @IndianTechGuide summed it up neatly: ChatGPT can now make UPI payments and even order groceries from Bigbasket, thanks to a collaboration between Razorpay, NPCI, and OpenAI.
Yeah, you read that right, the chatbot that helps you plan trips and draft emails might soon also help you buy shampoo or samosas online.
ChatGPT Turns Into a Shopping and Payments Assistant
Imagine this: you’re chatting with ChatGPT about what to cook for dinner. It suggests a recipe, adds the ingredients to your Bigbasket cart, and before you even open another tab, it helps you pay securely right inside the chat. That’s the vibe this pilot is going for.
This isn’t just about convenience. It’s what the folks at Razorpay call “agentic AI,” basically, AI that can take action with minimal human effort. You tell it what you want, and it figures out the steps to make it happen. Harshil Mathur, Razorpay’s CEO, even said, “We’re turning AI assistants from simple discovery tools into full shopping companions.” Tech creator @TrakinTech also noted on X that ChatGPT will soon be able to make UPI payments and order products on behalf of users.
And while that might sound a bit futuristic, it’s surprisingly grounded. You’ll still approve payments through your banking app or UPI PIN. ChatGPT never actually sees your password. So your secret’s safe, and your coffee run (or that impulsive midnight gadget purchase) stays just a few taps away.
Where AI Meets UPI: The Great Convergence
This pilot is a big deal because it shows how India’s UPI and AI ecosystems are finally crossing paths. UPI has already made payments ridiculously easy: scan, tap, done. But integrating it with conversational AI could take things up another notch.
OpenAI’s Oliver Jay put it neatly: “We’re excited to explore how AI can combine with one of the world’s most trusted real-time payment systems.” And that’s true, India’s UPI isn’t just convenient; it’s globally admired for being fast, reliable, and, well, kind of genius in its simplicity.
Now, the world’s most advanced chatbot gets to play in that sandbox. The result? AI that doesn’t just talk, it acts. From browsing products to completing real financial transactions, this is a test of whether AI can move from being a helpful assistant to a trustworthy co-pilot for your money.
UPI’s latest ‘Reserve Pay’
At the heart of this whole setup is a shiny new feature called Reserve Pay. Think of it as a safety net. It lets users “reserve” funds for a merchant before actually completing the transaction. So, even if ChatGPT initiates a payment, the money doesn’t move until you confirm it. That way, your PIN and data stay protected, and no sneaky transfers or rogue bots spend your balance on luxury cat food.
This feature adds a whole new layer of control, which is crucial when you’re letting AI handle something as sensitive as payments. Axis Bank and Airtel Payments Bank are the first official partners, and Bigbasket is the guinea pig (in the best possible way), the first e-commerce platform where this tech is going live.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or banking advice. Details about the ChatGPT UPI payments pilot may change; always verify with official sources before making transactions.
