Assam CM inaugurates India’s first AI-powered bank branch

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated India’s first AI and digital-powered “phygital” bank branch in Guwahati. The branch aims to enhance financial inclusion, offering instant credit access via UPI and AI-enabled services to support entrepreneurs and small businesses

 Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday inaugurated “India’s first AI and digital-powered” bank branch in Guwahati, aimed at boosting financial inclusion and opening new opportunities for the youth.

The AI-powered ‘phygital’ branch of Slice Small Finance Bank was unveiled at GS Road here. Speaking on the occasion, Sarma said this branch represents another step toward building a more inclusive financial ecosystem across both urban and underserved communities. He said the bank’s opening, with its “unique services”, represents the right kind of investment the state government has been working on for sometime.

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The inauguration of this branch also speaks about Assam’s readiness in supporting and encouraging the future of Indian banking, the CM said. Sarma said customers in the bank would be able to access credit directly through the UPI interface without a separate application for the same.

“This would help small store owners and women entrepreneurs getting access to working capital for their business ventures on their phones in minutes,” he said. Sarma asserted that the Assam government is committed to making the state a destination for responsible and technology-driven investment.

He also said that the government is “relentless in creating conditions where businesses can thrive, where young people can find opportunity, and where every resident has access to the financial tools they need to build a better life”. The bank “seamlessly blends physical and digital services through AI-enabled self-service kiosks, paperless cash deposits and withdrawals, and streamlined digital onboarding”, the chief minister said.