Bengaluru youth uses ChatGPT to negotiate auto fare in Kannada. ‘Problem solved,’ says internet

In Bengaluru, AI-powered ChatGPT helped a student negotiate an auto fare from ₹200 to ₹120 by communicating in Kannada. .

Published on: Apr 27, 2025, 16:17:28 IST

By HT News Desk

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Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the way we solve everyday problems — and now, it's even helping bridge language barriers. In a delightful example from Bengaluru, a young man was seen using OpenAI’s ChatGPT to communicate and negotiate with an auto-rickshaw driver in Kannada.

A young Bengaluru man uses AI to fix an auto price in Bengaluru.

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Take a look at the video

The innovative interaction was captured and shared on social media by Sajan Mahto. In the video, Mahto prompted ChatGPT, saying: "Hi ChatGPT, you have to help me in negotiating with the auto driver in Bengaluru. The auto driver is saying that the fare is ₹200 and I am a student. Please negotiate it for ₹100."

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A post shared by Sajan Mahto (@sajanmahto.ai)

Leveraging ChatGPT’s voice assistant feature, the AI smoothly switched to Kannada and conveyed the negotiation in the local language. It said, "Anna, this is the route that I travel every day and I am a student. Please come for ₹100."

What followed was a small but successful negotiation. The auto driver, initially quoting ₹200, eventually agreed to lower the fare to ₹120 after a brief conversation. "I had said 200 and came down to 150. Since you requested, I reduced another ₹30 and settled at ₹120. It's not possible for me to go lower," the auto driver explained. Mahto happily agreed and hopped into the auto, sealing the deal — thanks to AI assistance.

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The video has gone viral, winning praise from netizens for the clever use of AI in real-world situations. Many users pointed out that language barriers, a common challenge for non-Kannada speakers in Bengaluru, could now be tackled with tools like ChatGPT.

One user commented, "Real use of AI! I appreciate your behaviour." Another said, "I’ll use this trick with shopkeepers and vendors too!" A third added, "AI speaks Kannada so fluently!" while another simply wrote, "Speaking Kannada problem solved."

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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