India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called artificial intelligence the “mother of all technologies”. He highlighted that the impact will extend far beyond the technology sector and affect everyday life on a much wider scale.
Speaking to John Micklethwait, Editor-in-Chief of the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, Jaishankar said AI needed regulation, safeguards and greater inclusiveness. He also called for a deeper discussion around how the technology should be used and who should be responsible for its consequences.
Why Jaishankar Says AI Is Different From Nuclear Technology
Jaishankar said it was difficult to find a direct comparison for the scale and reach of AI. While nuclear technology is often cited as a parallel, he pointed out that its use was limited to a relatively small number of actors.
“It’s hard to find a parallel paradigm to what we are confronting with AI. The nuclear one is one which people often use, but here’s the difference. In the case of nuclear technology, yes, it was regulated, but remember, there were very limited users of nuclear technology… AI is, in that sense, the mother of all technologies. It’s going to be far more pervasive. It is going to be far more impactful on our everyday life. It’s something in which everybody will have a stake,” Jaishankar highlighted.
The minister said the current AI debate often centres on technology companies, computing power, chips, energy, water and financing. However, he argued that the discussion must also look closely at how AI will actually be used.
“Here’s the issue. It is again like any technology which is emerging: the focus is on the immediate, the technology leaders. Then it becomes an argument about compute, about chips, about energy, even about water, about funding, and about financing it. But at the end of the day, you’re going to apply it to people. Where will the use cases be? Where will the applications arise, and what will they be? And what will be the consequences?” Jaishankar stated.
AI Needs Regulation And Guardrails
Jaishankar said India broadly agrees on the need for regulation and safeguards around AI. He said the technology should not be left to develop without considering its wider social and political effects.
“So, if you ask me what the thinking in India is, I would say the thinking of the government, of the society at large, I think there’s a pretty good consensus on this. That yes, there should be regulation; there should be guardrails. There is also a feeling that there needs to be a more purposeful, you know, more serious debate about responsibility,” he added.
He also raised concerns about the potential impact of AI on democratic societies, particularly politics and the credibility of democratic processes.
Read More | Bill Gates Calls for Stronger AI Regulations
“As a democratic society, for example, there would be legitimate concerns about how it would impact politics, how it would impact the political exercise, which is so crucial for the credibility of democratic politics,” he said.
Jaishankar Calls For More Inclusive AI
Beyond regulation, Jaishankar stressed that access to AI should also be a priority. He said its benefits should reach ordinary people and should not be concentrated among a small number of powerful organisations or technology companies.
“And also inclusiveness because it is going to affect everybody’s life; this must be made in a way much more accessible to people and much more available in their daily lives to their own comfort, not necessarily controlled by forces on which they have no say,” he said.
His comments reflect India’s broader push to position AI as a tool for social and economic development, rather than technology that benefits only those with access to advanced computing and infrastructure.
India’s ‘AI For Humanity’ Approach
Jaishankar had also spoken about AI governance earlier this month while attending the Munich Leaders Meeting. Referring to the AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi in February, he said India’s approach was focused on using digital technology to support social equity and public welfare.
“On AI, our position was very amply demonstrated at the AI Impact Summit that we did in February this year… In this country, we have actually used the digital capabilities today to bring about a massive governance and social transformation,” he remarked.
He said AI should similarly be accessible and affordable, with applications designed around real-world needs.
Read More | Trump Wants AI Renamed ‘Super Intelligence’, Calls Others ‘The Enemy’
“People perceive AI also as something which must become accessible, affordable, and used for a certain socio-economic purpose. It is a sort of AI for humanity; develop user cases which are relatable to people’s needs. That is the kind of vision that we have.”
Jaishankar also highlighted the need for stronger oversight of emerging technologies, particularly where safety and security are concerned.
“There is also a concern about the safety and security issues that arise. This is too major an issue to leave it to the market, so to speak.”
The comments underline India’s focus on balancing AI innovation with regulation, safety and wider access as the technology becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life.
Indrani Priyadarshini is a journalist and editorial professional specialising in technology, artificial intelligence, smart cities, green energy, and digital transformation. With over four years of experience in tech journalism and digital media, she is known for turning complex industry developments into clear, engaging, and insightful stories. Her expertise spans reporting, editorial strategy, digital publishing workflows, and in-depth coverage of emerging technologies shaping the future.
