Jaishankar tells UN General Assembly nations must shape their own AI paths

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the 81st UN General Assembly that every nation has the right to shape its own artificial intelligence ecosystem, including developing domestic models aligned with national priorities. Jaishankar described AI as a transformational driver for human empowerment and economic prosperity, adding that it will be part of India's partnership agenda with the Global South. He stressed mutual respect as technology access expands, saying it reinforces prospects for peace. He also highlighted the Global South's "4F crisis" of food, fuel, fertilizer, and finance, and warned that AI misuse is sharpening bias and diluting mutual respect, undermining UN goals.