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You may soon be able to converse with AI-powered systems to make payments on UPI (unified payments interface). 

This proposal was made by the Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das during the Monetary Policy Committee meeting held on Thursday. 

“As AI (artificial intelligence) is becoming increasingly integrated into the digital economy, conversational instructions hold immense potential in enhancing the ease of use and, consequently, reach of the UPI system,” according to the Statement on Development and Regulatory Policies, which was released at the meeting. 

This means users will be able to make payments through a chat or a messaging conversation, which would be conducted through AI and processed by the payment provider. 

“It is, therefore, proposed to launch an innovative payment mode viz., ‘Conversational Payments’ on UPI, that will enable users to engage in a conversation with an AI-powered system to initiate and complete transactions in a safe and secure environment,” the proposal read. 

The feature would be available on both smartphone- and feature phone-based UPI channels. It would be initially available in Hindi and English and later include other languages. 

Instructions to NPCI will be issued shortly, said the proposal.

(This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.)