From classrooms to global policy, AI shapes UN deputy chief’s India visit

Artificial intelligence took centre stage as United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed sat down with students from the Indian Institute of Technology on Thursday, a standout moment of a whirlwind visit to New Delhi that also saw her hold talks with India's top diplomats on deepening the partnership between India and the UN.

The students, drawn from disciplines as varied as computer engineering, public policy, business management, civil engineering and energy, came to UN House to discuss the theme "AI, Innovation and a Sustainable Future," in a session moderated by an IIT representative. 

The Deputy Secretary-General had an hour-long exchange with students, as they weighed in on how AI is already changing the way their generation learns, works and makes decisions; what it means for jobs, skills and economic inclusion; and the responsibilities that come with the technology's wider footprint on society and the environment.

AI was never far from the conversation throughout the visit. In a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Deputy Secretary-General reaffirmed the strong ties binding India and the UN, touching on New Delhi's growing footprint in global governance and its contributions to peacekeeping, climate action and multilateral diplomacy.

Earlier, in a meeting with Mr. Sibi George, Secretary (West), from the Ministry of External Affairs, the two took a deep dive into India-UN collaboration on the SDGs, the transformational impact of AI, and cooperation on peacekeeping, climate, disaster risk reduction and UN reform.

The Deputy Secretary-General also used the visit to take the pulse of the UN's work on the ground, meeting with the UN Country Team to review progress on sustainable development, climate resilience and humanitarian coordination across the country. 

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