MODELLING INTENTION AND TRUST IN AI-BASED DIGITAL PAYMENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION: A SEM STUDY IN RURAL DELHI NCR (ASIA)

Adoption of AI-based digital payment systems plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable rural entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and inclusive economic participation in emerging Asian economies. This study investigates the factors influencing the adoption of AI-enabled digital payments in rural Delhi NCR by extending the Technology Acceptance Model to include trust and perceived security as key socio-psychological determinants. AI-based digital payments are examined as an essential component of entrepreneurial infrastructure supporting rural microenterprises, informal entrepreneurs, and resilient economic activity. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), the study analyses survey data collected from 453 rural respondents who were users or had awareness of digital payment platforms. Findings indicate that trust particularly trust in AI-driven payment security has a strong and significant influence on attitudes and intentions to adopt digital payment systems, highlighting its importance for rural entrepreneurial transactions and microenterprise sustainability. Perceived security emerges as the most influential driver of adoption, while knowledge and awareness of AI technology do not directly affect intention to use, suggesting that practical usability and experiential confidence outweigh awareness alone in rural contexts. Results further demonstrate the role of secure and user-friendly digital payment systems in strengthening financial inclusion, enterprise resilience, and sustainable digital economic development across rural Asia. Policy and managerial implications are drawn for policymakers, financial institutions, and fintech providers seeking to design entrepreneur-friendly AI-based digital payment ecosystems that promote sustainable rural entrepreneurship and inclusive growth in emerging economies.