Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman warned about the dual nature of artificial intelligence at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai, describing AI as a ‘double-edged sword’ that can both enhance and endanger financial systems. Speaking to a gathering of industry leaders, she highlighted the potential for AI to improve fraud detection and operational efficiency, but cautioned that the same technology could amplify cyber threats, systemic risks, and even influence public opinion and elections.
Sitharaman emphasized that while AI can assist judgment, ultimate responsibility must remain with humans and institutions. She called for stronger oversight as financial firms increasingly rely on automated systems for fraud monitoring, risk assessment, and customer services. The minister argued that faster technology should not come at the cost of resilience in critical financial infrastructure.
She advocated a ‘soft-touch regulation’ approach, developed in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, aimed at fostering innovation without creating unnecessary barriers. Sitharaman welcomed the RBI’s recognition of the Unified FinTech Forum as a self-regulatory organization under its SRO-FT framework, noting that this reflects the evolving regulatory needs of India’s expanding fintech ecosystem.
Higher-risk AI applications should face deeper scrutiny before deployment and throughout their lifecycle, she said, urging regulators, company boards, and senior executives to understand how these systems influence financial outcomes. The minister also proposed a federated industry platform to help Indian technology companies navigate cross-border rules on data, taxation, cybersecurity, and financial regulation.
Sitharaman also called on the RBI to advance its wholesale and retail Central Bank Digital Currency pilots. Her broader message placed resilience alongside efficiency as a central requirement for India’s AI strategy, signaling that fintech companies will face greater expectations around accountability, cybersecurity, and responsible AI deployment.
The Global Fintech Fest drew around 8,000 organizations, with technology-related entities accounting for 43% of participants and fintech firms representing another 20%. Sitharaman noted that young Indians are already building companies and shaping future economic growth, underscoring the importance of developing technology systems that can withstand failures and misuse.
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