Jaishankar at UNGA highlights AI, says nations should shape own technology paths

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said every nation has the right to shape its own artificial intelligence ecosystem, including through the development of domestic models and deployment strategies aligned with its national goals and priorities.

Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Jaishankar said India sees AI as an important part of its partnership agenda with the Global South.

He described AI as a transformational driver for human empowerment, economic prosperity and population-scale problem solving, while underlining the importance of democratising technology and promoting cultural understanding.


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“An issue central to current global conversations, is that of AI. India hosted the AI Impact Summit this February, gathering together the best minds on that subject. We view AI as a transformational driver, for human empowerment, economic prosperity and population-scale problem solving,” he said.

“We believe in the right of each nation, to shape its eco-system, with the development of its own models, and deployment strategies, consistent with its national goals and priorities. AI will be very much part of our partnership agenda, with the Global South,” Jaishankar added.

Jaishankar also stressed the importance of mutual respect as access to technology expands, saying consideration for the interests and viewpoints of others can strengthen the prospects for peace.

He further highlighted the role of culture and heritage in fostering international understanding in a globalised world. Economic and political rebalancing is already underway, he said, while cultural rebalancing also needs to be advanced.

“As technology is democratized, this process is greatly facilitated, by an ethos of mutual respect. Indeed, care and consideration for the interests, and viewpoints of others, reinforces even the prospects of peace,” he said.

“In a globalized world, we must continuously and vigorously, promote international understanding. Economic rebalancing is well underway; the political one is also visible, and the third facet, cultural rebalancing, must now be taken forward,” he said.

Jaishankar also highlighted the challenges confronting the Global South, including crises involving food, fuel, fertilizer and finance. He said the misuse of AI was adding to concerns and weakening mutual respect.

"The predicament of the Global South, is particularly acute. It faces a 4F crisis, of the security of food, fuel, fertilizer and finance. The combined impact of a Super El Nino, compounding fertilizer shortages and now impediments to grain movements, all these are cause for alarm. Moreover, SDG progress is under increasing pressure. The Global South’s right to industrialize is also undermined by non-market practices and market denial. The march of technology, that was meant to instill hope, has now become a source of anxiety. Misuse of AI is sharpening bias, and diluting mutual respect. These directions bode ill for the aims and objectives of the United Nations," he said.