Safaricom has introduced a new feature called AI Pay, which enables M-PESA users to scan receipts and make payments quickly and easily. This feature is available within the M-PESA experience on My OneApp, which has been downloaded over 7 million times. With AI Pay, customers can scan a printed or handwritten receipt, and the system will identify the Till or PayBill number and the amount, filling them in on the payment screen.
The AI Pay feature uses artificial intelligence to process the receipt and identify the relevant details, reducing the amount of information customers have to enter manually. According to Safaricom's Group Chief Technology Officer, James Maitai, the system can process the receipt, identify the relevant details, and determine the amount that needs to be paid. This makes small payments quicker and easier, saving customers time and reducing the likelihood of typing errors.
One of the key benefits of AI Pay is that it can handle handwritten receipts, which are common in many small businesses and markets in Kenya. This feature allows merchants to continue using their current receipt-issuing routine without having to change to a more standardized system. By handling handwritten receipts, AI Pay makes it more useful for people who regularly buy from the same local traders.
The AI Pay feature also provides an additional layer of security, as customers still need to enter their M-PESA PIN or use their fingerprint to confirm the payment. This ensures that the final approval for the payment remains with the customer, giving them one last chance to check the details before the payment goes through.
Safaricom has been working on AI-enabled payments for some time, and the introduction of AI Pay is part of a steady stream of additions to My OneApp. With over 7 million downloads, My OneApp provides a ready audience for new features like AI Pay, giving customers fewer reasons to leave the app for other services.
The success of AI Pay will depend on its performance in everyday conditions, including messy handwriting, crowded receipts, and dim shop lighting. If the feature can handle these challenges effectively, it could become a valuable tool for M-PESA users, making payments quicker and easier.
Overall, AI Pay has the potential to make a significant impact on the way M-PESA users make payments, particularly in small businesses and markets where handwritten receipts are common. By reducing the time and effort required to make payments, AI Pay could help to increase the efficiency and convenience of M-PESA transactions.
Key points
- AI Pay can handle handwritten receipts, making it useful for small businesses and markets in Kenya.
- The feature uses artificial intelligence to process receipts and identify relevant details, reducing manual entry and errors.
- AI Pay provides an additional layer of security with M-PESA PIN or fingerprint confirmation.
