Artificial Intelligence in BRICS: Opportunities or challenges?

Let us make artificial intelligence not a luxury for the few, but a public good — this is what experts who are already working on the development of neural networks in the Global South say. Many of them are convinced that AI can help strengthen a multipolar world and reduce inequality.

On a planet where, on average, according to WHO estimates, there are only 17 doctors per 10 000 people, AI-powered telediagnostics and predictive analytics are capable of saving millions of lives. Moreover, neural networks can revolutionise education, help solve hunger by increasing crop yields, and make cities more comfortable to live in.

However, the development of AI also carries potential risks in the areas of ethics, ecology and even state sovereignty. Can these challenges be addressed? Will BRICS countries act together or separately in developing neural networks?

“AI is a new infrastructure for the development of humanity,” says Cristina Amor Maclang, Secretary General of the International Digital Economies Association (IDEA) and organiser of Digital ASEAN projects.

Today, this is understood worldwide. BRICS countries are no exception. Almost all of them are implementing national strategies or programmes for the development of AI technologies. China adopted its strategy (Artificial Intelligence Development Plan, 2017) in 2017, India approved its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2018, Russia adopted its National AI Development Strategy in 2019, and Brazil introduced its Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2021. South Africa prepared its National AI Strategy in 2024. Similar programmes are also being implemented in the UAE, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.

At the same time, all the so-called “original” BRICS countries ranked fairly high in the global Government AI Readiness Index in 2023. This index is used to assess the level of neural network development.

Among 193 countries represented in the ranking, China placed 16th, Brazil 32nd, Russia 38th, India 40th, and South Africa 77th. China emerged as the undisputed leader across many indicators, including “ethics”, “maturity”, “accessibility”, and “human capital”.

“China is racing ahead – AI there is already almost part of state infrastructure, from factories to public services,” says Semyon Tenyaev, founder of a major Russian business social network for expert content and an IT and business expert, in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS. However, other experts are reluctant to name a clear frontrunner in the AI race among BRICS countries.

“Leadership is ambiguous: Chinese tech giants, next-generation model developers and state investments lead in terms of sheer potential and computing resources; India leads in startups and services; Brazil in the development of ethical policy frameworks for Latin America; Russia in state-backed strategic projects; and South Africa acts as a regional AI policy hub in Africa,” says Alexander Titov, Deputy Secretary General of the International Digital Economies Association (IDEA), in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS.

Experts also believe that future AI success will be strongly influenced by access to quality education and the number of IT specialists. Most of the population in Brazil, Russia, India, and China has opportunities for technological development, as demonstrated by the same AI readiness ranking.

BRICS countries pursue different approaches to AI governance. However, they share a common feature: many of the member countries view AI sovereignty as an important component of national security and technological independence. This means countries will strive to ensure autonomous control over key algorithms, digital data and the entire AI infrastructure.

Brazil’s AI policy is based on regulatory frameworks and the General Data Protection Regulation, which places special emphasis on transparency and accountability.

India, meanwhile, applies a technology-orientated regulatory approach. It focuses on promoting AI in industry, agriculture and the public sector.

The objective is to balance innovation with the principles of social justice. India also places great emphasis on building big data processing infrastructure and is home to one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems. The country has around 30 000 technology startups, including those in artificial intelligence.— tvbrics.com.