AI Revolution: Transforming India's E-Commerce Landscape

Artificial Intelligence stands at the forefront of revolutionizing India's e-commerce sector, poised to transform millions of small businesses by easing digital integration, according to Saahil Goel, MD & CEO of Shiprocket. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Goel noted that while Shiprocket has enabled over 400,000 businesses to transition online, a staggering 60 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India remain disconnected from the digital economy. He underscored AI's potential in streamlining access across the nation.

Goel highlighted the transformative power of AI in fostering marketplace connectivity, enabling a person in Guwahati to effortlessly transact with someone in Kashmir within minutes. He envisions AI as a tool to bring enterprise-grade technology to India’s burgeoning brands and make digital commerce accessible to an additional 20 million MSMEs over the next decade. Goel further emphasized the need for India-specific AI development to maintain national technological sovereignty, advocating the integration of diverse datasets to solve common industry challenges.

From a socio-economic perspective, Goel sees AI as a net positive force for job creation and productivity. He argues for democratizing digital commerce by minimizing entrepreneurial costs, thus inviting more entrepreneurs and enabling job growth in logistics and warehousing sectors. While AI may automate some mechanical tasks, Goel believes it will also free up the workforce for creative and human-centric roles, significantly enhancing productivity. He noted that collaborations between startups, policymakers, and enterprises will foster responsible AI strategies and innovative policies, laying the groundwork for India's digital future.