Sat Mar 15 06:06:23 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru Startups Urged to Embrace AI or Risk Falling Behind, Says CRED CEO

**Bengaluru, India (March 14, 2025)** – Kunal Shah, CEO of CRED and co-founder of Freecharge, has issued a stark warning to Bengaluru’s burgeoning startup scene: embrace artificial intelligence (AI) or be left behind. Shah, in a widely shared post on X, noted that while many Bengaluru startups are using AI to boost productivity, a significant majority – he estimates only 20% – are fully integrating it into their operations.

“Bangalore startups are increasingly using AI to be hyper productive,” Shah tweeted. “But it seems only 20% are breathing AI. The rest are waiting for a sign. This is your sign.”

His message resonated strongly with the online community, with many echoing his sentiment. Several users highlighted the competitive advantage AI adoption offers, particularly in attracting global investors increasingly focused on the Indian market. Others pointed to India’s lagging adoption of AI compared to the US and stressed the urgency of widespread integration.

This isn’t the first time Shah has emphasized AI’s importance. He previously stated that all experts, regardless of their field, must become “AI native” to remain relevant in the evolving job market. This comes in the wake of several reports highlighting the potential impact of AI-driven automation on employment, with Goldman Sachs projecting that nearly 300 million full-time jobs could be at risk.

Shah’s call to action underscores a growing concern within the tech industry: the need for rapid AI adoption to maintain competitiveness and avoid being overtaken by the rapidly advancing technological landscape. The message to Bengaluru’s startups is clear: the time to integrate AI is now.

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