Highlights
AI transformation has significantly influenced daily digital interactions, as demonstrated at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which concentrated on sovereign computing and enterprise use. Consumer internet companies, particularly ShareChat, illustrated that AI is already generating substantial business results rather than mere future possibilities.
In a conversation with Startup Superb, ShareChat’s CEO Ankush Sachdeva commented on the company’s enduring commitment to recommendation systems, revealing that this investment has resulted in increased engagement and revenue growth, predating the recent generative AI trend.
He remarked that their journey began in 2018, focusing on recommended systems, a specific area within AI, much like large language models.
AI Delivering Profits
In a market saturated with global platforms such as Meta, Pinterest, and YouTube, ShareChat distinguishes itself by developing its AI infrastructure internally instead of depending on external foundational models. Sachdeva noted that many platforms rely on API calls but ShareChat trains its own deep learning model tailored for Indian users at economical costs, achieving authentic AI results at the core of their operations.
Each upgrade of their model has reportedly yielded measurable benefits, with the launch of ShareChat’s first deep-learning recommendation model in 2022 increasing user time on the platform by around 40%. More recently, AI-powered suggestions for short “micro-drama” video series have led to an additional 50% increase in engagement.
Sachdeva emphasized that every model generation results in significant improvements in business metrics, aiding in higher average revenue per user (ARPU) and overall profitability.
Tailoring Content for India
ShareChat’s overall approach is focused on addressing India’s rich linguistic diversity, a demographic often overlooked by larger global platforms. Sachdeva explained that ShareChat operates in 15 languages, offering content that caters to this diversity, such as locating traditional Tamil Bhajans that may not be available on Facebook.
To enhance distribution, ShareChat capitalizes on messaging apps. Rather than directly competing with WhatsApp, ShareChat sees it as a channel for growth, allowing users to find and share content through WhatsApp, leveraging the virality for further expansion.
Sachdeva acknowledged government initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission, which aim to foster AI adoption, stating that these efforts have aided in integrating startups and developers into the mainstream.
The Future of AI and Content Creation
Looking forward, Sachdeva anticipates that generative AI will significantly reduce the costs associated with high-quality content production, facilitating personalised storytelling on a larger scale over the coming years.
As costs decrease alongside the emergence of micro-dramas, the creation of appealing long narratives that are customised by language and individual tastes could transform mobile entertainment consumption.
Enhancing Productivity with AI
Despite global fears regarding job displacement by AI, Sachdeva remained optimistic, asserting that “agentic AI” has boosted efficiency rather than replaced positions within ShareChat.
He added that India’s youthful workforce and enthusiasm for novel technologies position the country advantageously to benefit from AI advancements.
