Paytm Revolutionizes Merchant Technology with AI-Powered Soundbox

Paytm Launches AI-Powered Soundbox for Merchants in 11 Indian Languages | AIM

Merchants can ask the device for summaries of their collections, trends, and performance, turning it into what Paytm describes as an "AI business assistant." Paytm has launched what it calls India's first AI-powered Soundbox, a business device aimed at small and medium enterprises. The company unveiled it at the Global Fintech Fest 2025, calling it the start of a new phase for merchant technology in India. The AI Soundbox comes with an inbuilt assistant that can talk to merchants in 11 Indian languages, offering real-time insights and responses based on their payment activity and business data. Merchants can ask the device for summaries of their collections, trends, and performance, turning it into what Paytm describes as an "AI business assistant." In a live demo, Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, asked the soundbox about the amount of money it received on the soundbox in a single day and it replied within a few seconds in the same language. The device includes the familiar Paytm Button for instant help and payment updates, allowing users to track transactions and manage operations through both voice and screen. It runs on Android, has dual displays -- one touchscreen and one for quick updates -- and supports dynamic QR codes, tap, and card transactions. With WiFi and 4G connectivity, Paytm says it's designed to work smoothly across retail stores, cafés, restaurants, and outdoor locations. "From bringing QR payments to launching the Soundbox, we are now entering the intelligence age with AI-first products," Sharma said. "With Paytm AI Soundbox, we are making the power of AI accessible to small and micro businesses across the country." Paytm said the device is part of its broader push to make AI tools more inclusive and practical for India's merchant base, positioning itself at the front of what it calls the "intelligence revolution" in fintech. Earlier this year, Perplexity, the AI-powered search engine tool, was also made available on the Paytm app on both Android and iPhone. Users can ask their queries, to which the tool will provide responses with citations on a Perplexity interface.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma says Paytm AI Soundbox will make technology and AI more inclusive for millions of Merchants - The Economic Times

As a homegrown fintech pioneer, Paytm is leading the way in making India AI-enabled and empowering small businesses with intelligence.Paytm Founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma shared his vision for the company's newly launched Paytm AI Soundbox in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), describing it as a leap beyond payments, a true business assistant for small and micro enterprises across India. "It takes a lot of time for technology to mature and become magical. AI is there now," Sharma wrote, explaining how the idea behind the Paytm AI Soundbox evolved. "When we envisaged AI Soundbox, it was soon clear that it wouldn't be just a payment device anymore. It would rather be like a smartphone in the age of feature phones. QR was like a rotary phone, Soundbox a cellular, and this: a smartphone." Through this analogy, Sharma highlighted the evolution of Paytm's technology from QR codes to Soundbox to the new Paytm AI Soundbox, each stage marking a generational shift in how small businesses engage with payments. He said the new Paytm AI Soundbox brings "a superhuman capability for small and micro businesses that has never been available to these businesses," calling it "a very smart and capable business partner on the counter for 100s of millions of small businesses." The Paytm AI Soundbox was unveiled at the Global Fintech Festival (GFF) 2025, where it drew attention for being India's first Artificial Intelligence payment device. Unlike earlier versions, the new Soundbox goes beyond providing payment alerts; it features an intelligent assistant that interacts in 11 local languages, provides real-time insights on payments and business performance, and enables direct merchant interaction for smarter operations. The innovation also drew global recognition, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking at GFF 2025, acknowledging India's leadership in fintech and highlighting Paytm as one of the standout innovators driving the industry's global expansion. His remarks reflected how Indian companies like Paytm are shaping the evolution of digital payments on the world stage. Sharma emphasized that this innovation reflects Paytm's continued commitment to democratizing technology. "Today we bring the perfect AI device for millions of businesses, making technology and AI more inclusive," he wrote. By embedding artificial intelligence directly into the everyday tools used by merchants, Paytm aims to make advanced technology more accessible across India's micro and small business landscape. By describing the Paytm AI Soundbox as a "business partner," Sharma envisions a future where every merchant counter in India is powered by intelligence, transforming how small businesses interact with data, customers, and operations. As Sharma highlights, this is not just a new device; it is the start of a new era where artificial intelligence meets everyday business. India is entering the intelligence revolution, where the power of AI will drive the next wave of growth and help small businesses scale. As a homegrown fintech pioneer, Paytm is leading the way in making India AI-enabled. Through its AI-first approach, Paytm is creating technology that builds trust, enhances efficiency, and empowers millions of merchants to operate with confidence and scale sustainably.

Paytm launches AI Soundbox for Small and Medium Businesses

Paytm has launched the Paytm AI Soundbox, a device designed for small and medium businesses (SMBs) in India that incorporates artificial intelligence to assist with daily operations. The new device was introduced at the Global Fintech Festival (GFF). The AI Soundbox features an integrated AI assistant capable of interacting with merchants in 11 different local languages. It is designed to provide real-time business insights and answer queries related to payment history and overall business performance. According to the company, merchants can interact with the device to access information that supports their operational decisions. Built on an Android-based system, the device is equipped with dual displays: a front-facing touchscreen for user interaction and a top display for quick updates. It includes a dedicated "Paytm Button" to access assistance and key payment information, allowing merchants to track collections and manage their business through both voice commands and on-screen menus. The device supports multiple payment methods, including dynamic QR codes, tap-to-pay, and chip card insertion. For connectivity, it offers both Wi-Fi for stable indoor performance and 4G support for use in outdoor or high-traffic environments. Paytm stated that the launch aims to provide intelligent devices to a wide range of merchants, from neighborhood stores to retail chains, with the goal of enhancing efficiency and enabling businesses to scale more sustainably. Commenting on the launch, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder & CEO - Paytm, said: