AI Must Not Create New Divides, Jaishankar Urges Global South

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has urged countries of the Global South to work together to ensure that the rapid development of artificial intelligence does not create new divisions between nations or widen existing inequalities. Jaishankar made the remarks at a high-level meeting of Global South countries and their partners on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. He said developing nations are navigating a difficult global environment marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, disrupted supply chains, climate pressures and challenges to the existing international order.

Against this backdrop, Jaishankar stressed the importance of stronger cooperation among developing countries. He said the Global South needs to work collectively to reduce vulnerabilities and ensure that its concerns receive greater attention in international decision-making. Artificial intelligence featured prominently among the issues highlighted by the minister. As AI rapidly expands across economies and public services, countries are increasingly dealing with questions around access to computing infrastructure, technology, skills, data and governance. Jaishankar cautioned that the AI revolution should not result in another divide between countries that possess advanced technological capabilities and those that have fewer resources to participate in the emerging digital economy.

The issue is particularly relevant for developing economies, where unequal access to technology could influence future opportunities in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and public administration. Greater cooperation and access to AI-related tools could help countries use the technology for development while avoiding excessive dependence on a small number of technology providers.

Jaishankar also highlighted wider areas of cooperation for the Global South, including supply-chain resilience, energy and food security, trade, industrial development and maritime security. He stressed the importance of ensuring that developing countries retain the ability to build their own productive capacity and participate meaningfully in global economic growth. The minister further called for a stronger voice for developing nations in international institutions. His comments reflect India's broader push for greater representation of the Global South in global decision-making and reforms to multilateral institutions.

The growing importance of artificial intelligence has added a new dimension to these discussions. Decisions over AI standards, infrastructure, access and governance could have long-term consequences for developing economies. For countries seeking to expand their digital capabilities, ensuring that technological progress remains accessible and inclusive is becoming an increasingly important part of the global development debate. Jaishankar's remarks therefore placed AI within a broader discussion about economic security, development and international cooperation, arguing that technological progress should contribute to shared growth rather than becoming another source of inequality between nations.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.