Innovators Playground by NPCI

Can India Build Its Own AI Destiny? | Sridhar Vembu X Dilip Asbe

In this episode of NPCI’s Innovators Playground Podcast, @Dilip Asbe sits down with @Sridhar Vembu, Co-founder and Chief Scientist, @Zoho, to unpack what it will take for India to build world class #AI technology that is self-reliant and designed for the next billion users.    Here is what the episode dives into:   ✅ What it takes to build deep technology from India: From building full stack infrastructure and data centres to investing in semiconductors, materials, and manufacturing, the conversation explores why technological self reliance is critical for India’s future   ✅ Why India needs a different approach compared to West in AI innovation: Sridhar Vembu explains why India should focus on engineering efficiency, edge computing, and sustainable AI instead of competing in the global GPU spending race   ✅ How rural India can become a global talent hub: Sridhar shares how Zoho is building high value engineering teams in small towns by focusing on learnability, practical training, and local talent rather than degrees alone   ✅ How India can create affordable AI for the masses: From farmers to small businesses, the discussion explores why lowering the cost of AI inference will be key to unlocking large scale adoption across the country   ✅ What the next generation of software will look like: From talking to databases in natural language to AI driven workflows that understand intent and automate tasks, the episode explores how software experiences are fundamentally changing   🎧 A must listen for engineers, founders and builders thinking about India’s technology future in an AI led world.   #NPCI #InnovatorsPlayground #SridharVembu #Zoho #AI #IndiaTech #DeepTech #DigitalIndia

The Anti-Playbook for Techies: In The AI-Led World | Paras Chopra X Dilip Asbe

In this episode of Innovators Playground, Dilip Asbe, MD and CEO, NPCI, sits down with Paras Chopra, Founder, Wingify and Lossfunk, to unpack what it takes to build, think, and stay relevant in an AI led world that is rewriting the rules faster than we realise.   Here is what the episode dives into:   ✅ Why choosing your own path matters more than following the system Paras shares how bootstrapping Wingify helped him stay focused on long term thinking, build without external pressure, and optimise for meaningful work rather than just outcomes   ✅ What it really takes to build world class products from India From serving a global customer base with an India based team to obsessing over the smallest details, the conversation breaks down how culture and standards define quality   ✅ Why India cannot win by playing catch up in AI A sharp perspective on why competing on the same path as global leaders may not work, and why original thinking and foundational research are critical for leadership   ✅ The uncomfortable truth about AI and the future of work As intelligence becomes increasingly commoditised, the discussion explores what will truly differentiate individuals in the years ahead   ✅ What engineers should focus on in a rapidly changing world Less about chasing trends and more about building resilience, curiosity, and the ability to continuously learn and adapt   🎧 A must listen for engineers, founders, and builders navigating the realities of an AI led world. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this channel by the host and guests are for informational and entertainment purposes only, and do not constitute professional advice. The content provided does not claim to be exhaustive and does not cover all aspects of the topic discussed. Host and Guests do not necessarily subscribe the opinions expressed. Viewers are advised to conduct their own research and seek professional guidance for any specific concerns or questions.

slice’s Leap: From Fintech Disruptor to India’s Next Big Bank | Rajan Bajaj X Dilip Asbe

In this episode of Innovators Playground, Dilip Asbe, MD and CEO, NPCI, sits down with Rajan Bajaj, Founder and ED, slice, for a candid conversation on how a fintech company is rethinking banking itself, from core technology and credit models to AI, UPI, and population scale design.   Here is what the episode dives into:   What it means to build a banking stack in house: A rare inside look at why slice chose to build its core banking stack in house, how microservices change speed, resilience, and cost economics, and what traditional banks underestimate when they rely on monolithic systems Why building for the first time users creates the best bank for everyone: How designing credit, onboarding, and risk systems for first time and small ticket users forces fundamentally better product, underwriting, and automation decisions that scale effortlessly to mainstream and affluent users as well   How Credit via UPI is converging into a new financial primitive: Why Credit card on UPI is not just a new feature but a structural shift in how India will distribute credit, reduce acquisition costs, expand merchant acceptance, and bring hundreds of millions into formal credit for the first time   Where AI actually matters in banking at scale: Beyond hype, how AI is already replacing large parts of operations, risk checks, customer service, and repayments, and why voice led, multilingual, AI driven interfaces will define the next phase of banking for India 🎧 A must listen for engineers, product leaders, and fintech founders building for India’s next decade of growth. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this channel by the host and guests are for informational and entertainment purposes only, and do not constitute professional advice. The content provided does not claim to be exhaustive and does not cover all aspects of the topic discussed. Host and Guests do not necessarily subscribe the opinions expressed. Viewers are advised to conduct their own research and seek professional guidance for any specific concerns or questions.

Engineering Groww with Lalit Keshre: Lessons on scale, simplicity and smart tech choices | Lalit Keshre X Dilip Asbe

In this episode of Innovators Playground Podcast by NPCI, Dilip Asbe, MD and CEO, NPCI, speaks with Lalit Keshre, Co Founder and CEO, Groww, on how Groww built for scale using time tested open source, why simplicity takes constant defence, and what smart tech choices look like when growth is fast and stakes are high.   Here is what the episode dives into: ✅ Open Source as a growth engine: How Groww’s platform was built on time tested open source foundations like Kubernetes and Kafka and why reliability and security demand proven communities over shiny new tools ✅ First principles of tech choices: Why Groww invested early in in house infrastructure and microservices, what they learned from distributed monolith complexity, and how they corrected course ✅ Protecting simplicity at scale: How Groww uses a platform layer that standardises core services for multiple product pods, helping teams ship fast without each team rebuilding resilience from scratch ✅ India’s DPI story and what comes next: A founder’s perspective on how Aadhaar, digital onboarding, KYC, and UPI enabled Groww’s journey and why the next wave will be shaped by engineering talent, platforms, and responsible inclusive innovation 🎧 Tune in for a conversation that blends engineering depth with founder clarity on what it takes to build products and platforms for India at scale. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this channel by the host and guests are for informational and entertainment purposes only, and do not constitute professional advice. The content provided does not claim to be exhaustive and does not cover all aspects of the topic discussed. Host and Guests do not necessarily subscribe the opinions expressed. Viewers are advised to conduct their own research and seek professional guidance for any specific concerns or questions.

Reimagining Global Payments: PayPal's Vision For AI, Innovation, And Agentic Commerce | Alex Chriss X Dilip Asbe

In this episode of Innovators Playground Podcast by NPCI, we welcome our first global guest, Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal, in a wide-ranging conversation with Dilip Asbe, MD and CEO, NPCI, on the future of global commerce, AI-led experiences, trust at scale, and the next stage of cross-border payments.   Here’s what the episode dives into: ✅ Building a Borderless Economy – How PayPal enables $2 trillion+ in annual movement and solves for trust, safety, and regulation across 200+ markets ✅ NPCI International × PayPal Partnership – How PayPal’s partnership with @NPCI International, through the integration of @UPI with @PayPal World, can lower friction, expand access, and create new pathways for consumers and small businesses worldwide  ✅ Rise of Agentic Commerce – Why AI-led shopping, personalised journeys, remote MCP servers, and verified catalogues will change how people buy and sell ✅ Stablecoins – How the evolving digital currency frameworks can make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, and more transparent ✅ Leading at Global Scale – Balancing innovation and stability while supporting 40M+ merchants and navigating fraud, customer protection, and instant money movement   🎧 Tune in to explore how NPCI and PayPal are shaping a more connected, efficient, and intelligent payment ecosystem for the world. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this channel by the host and guests are for informational and entertainment purposes only, and do not constitute professional advice. The content provided does not claim to be exhaustive and does not cover all aspects of the topic discussed. Host and Guests do not necessarily subscribe the opinions expressed. Viewers are advised to conduct their own research and seek professional guidance for any specific concerns or questions.