TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY: INTEGRATING HUMANITY, TECHNOLOGY, AND AI IN FINANCE AND ECONOMICS – A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF CHENGALPATTU, TAMIL NADU

In the quest for a sustainable society, the harmonious integration of human-centric values, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) within financial and economic systems has become increasingly critical. This research investigates the dynamic relationship between these elements in the semi-urban district of Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu—an emerging economic zone marked by a blend of traditional livelihoods and rising technological adoption. Utilizing a robust statistical framework encompassing descriptive statistics, regression, and correlation analyses, this study evaluates the economic and financial trends, the extent of AI and FinTech penetration, and their implications on sustainable development. Primary data were sourced from local surveys among households and businesses, while secondary data were drawn from government publications and institutional reports. The findings reveal that Chengalpattu’s GDP growth rate (6.2%) surpasses the state average, driven by contributions from manufacturing and IT sectors. Despite 68% of adults holding bank accounts, only 32% actively engage in digital financial transactions, indicating a significant digital divide. AI adoption remains low, at just 15% among local enterprises. Regression analysis demonstrates a positive relationship (β = 0.45, p < 0.05) between FinTech use and economic growth. Furthermore, digital transaction frequency shows a strong positive correlation (r = 0.72) with employment rates, while high cash dependency negatively correlates (r = -0.38) with sustainable practices. The study concludes that technology and AI offer substantial opportunities to promote financial inclusion and economic sustainability, especially when integrated with human-centric approaches. Key policy recommendations include promoting AI adoption in SMEs, incentivizing digital transactions, and expanding digital literacy programs. This research contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable development by offering a localized, data-driven perspective that aligns with national and global sustainability agendas.