Artificial intelligence in BRICS: opportunities or challenges, cooperation or competition?
TV BRICS - 18 December 2025
Let us make artificial intelligence (AI) 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 artificial intelligence 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? Let us take a closer look.
The race of leaders: AI development and regulation in BRICS countries
“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.
Comparative analysis of national strategies
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.
South Africa has incorporated artificial intelligence into its public sector innovation development plan. The main goal is to improve the quality of public services and promote innovative technologies in education, healthcare and other areas to ensure fair distribution of national resources.
Iran has announced the creation of an operating system for AI and even the development of AI advisers to provide data and analytical materials to the country’s president and his deputies. This was reported by Iran Press, a partner of TV BRICS.
The UAE goes even further, speaking openly about building a state based on artificial intelligence. Over 20 years, the Emirates have transformed into one of the world’s most technologically advanced countries thanks to the adoption of AI at all levels – from airports and courts to schools, healthcare, and public services.
China: striving for global leadership by 2030
China plans to become a global AI leader by 2030, an ambition announced back in 2017. China’s AI breakthrough is a serious bid for leadership in a world where artificial intelligence is becoming a new currency of global power. China is actively accumulating this power by investing billions in neural network development and stimulating innovation. According to some estimates, in 2025 alone, Chinese authorities and the private sector spent nearly US$100 billion on AI development.
China is strengthening its position not only in the virtual sphere. The country exports AI technologies to developing nations seeking to build their own digital infrastructure and also proposes its own AI regulatory rules.
India: focus on startups and the IT sector
India has a strong IT sector, which experts call one of the drivers of the national economy. According to the Indian National Association of Software and Services Companies, in 2024 the country’s digital sector generated nearly US$254 billion in revenue and accounted for about 10 per cent of GDP. By 2030, the AI solutions market in India could grow 4.5 times compared to 2024 figures.
India is also developing a “sovereign” AI ecosystem, integrating technologies into governance, business and daily life. For example, neural network speech processing technologies greatly assist India’s multilingual society by enabling automatic translation systems, chatbots and voice assistants. Indian companies are also actively implementing AI in business, agriculture, education, and healthcare.
Russia: focus on the public sector
In the global technological race, Russia occupies a distinctive position. The country has significant scientific potential, strong mathematical schools and achievements in machine reading and computer vision algorithms. In 2023–2024, the share of Russian AI solutions in the public sector increased from 25 to 40 per cent.
Russia’s National AI Development Strategy until 2030 provides for the creation of 25 AI regions where neural networks will be used in urban management, healthcare and transport systems. By 2030, up to 80 per cent of primary medical diagnostics in Russia are expected to be carried out using AI.
South Africa: development of niche competencies
In South Africa, as across the continent, AI is becoming a social tool and a bridge connecting people to financial and government systems. A smartphone connected to neural networks effectively becomes a new passport, residence registration, and bank account. South Africa has introduced its own “digital clerk” – a virtual assistant that understands natural language requests.
The next stage of AI development in Africa focuses on health, food and education. On a continent where there is only one doctor per thousand people, AI can become a real medical assistant. In 2022, the South African Institute for Artificial Intelligence was established at the University of Johannesburg, where a local “digital elite” is already being formed. South Africa is becoming a regional AI hub for the entire continent. More than two-thirds of Africa’s data centres are located there, and AI startups in the country attracted US$610 million in 2023. By 2030, South Africa plans to train 5,000 specialists and create 300 AI startups.
Brazil’s artificial intelligence ecosystem
Brazil is implementing the “AI for All” project to address challenges in healthcare, education, public security, and energy. The programme aims to position the country among global leaders in AI technologies, in cooperation with the private sector. Investment comes primarily from private sources, as well as the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development, Finep under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the National Bank for Economic and Social Development.
A total of US$4.2 billion will be allocated to the programme between 2025 and 2028. Brazil also plans to create one of the world’s most powerful computers for big data processing. According to experts, the AI supercomputer prototype already installed at the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing in Petrópolis should, after modernisation, rank among the world’s top five.
Approaches to AI regulation and ethics in BRICS countries
Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly, bringing significant technological achievements. However, this development also generates new challenges in ethics, data security, excessive energy consumption, job displacement risks, and even threats to national sovereignty. To minimise negative consequences, experts argue that the international community must consolidate efforts and develop global coordination and governance systems for AI.
Attempts at international AI regulation exist. Several UN reports emphasise safety, transparency, and sustainability principles. However, differing national interests and technological disparities make AI governance decentralised. Each BRICS country is currently developing its own policy approach, with most prioritising sovereignty, technological expansion, and data protection.
In 2023, China proposed the “Global Initiative on AI Governance”, covering information security, cross-border exchange of technological achievements, and cooperation among developing countries. The initiative aims to foster international dialogue and institutional coordination in AI governance. China’s model emphasises preventive supervision, including early-stage ethical and safety assessments.
“If regulation is too strict, innovation will not take off. If everything is left unchecked, risks will emerge – from data leaks to uncontrolled models. The most productive path is when the state creates conditions (infrastructure, talent, clear rules), and businesses and startups figure out how to monetise and implement solutions. This is classic synergy: the state is the foundation, the market is the engine,” says Semyon Tenyaev.
India follows a similar approach, introducing soft and gradual state oversight. In 2024, it adopted the IndiaAI Mission, which supports computing infrastructure, AI researchers and workforce training.
Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority announced in early 2025 its intention to begin regulating AI systems even before a full legislative framework is adopted, citing provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation.
Russia is also moving towards a centralised AI coordination model. In November 2025, President Vladimir Putin instructed the government and regional leaders to develop a national plan for implementing generative AI. Legislative changes are also underway, including stricter penalties for cyber fraud involving neural networks.
Potential and barriers to BRICS cooperation
Experts see strong potential for AI cooperation within BRICS, but obstacles remain. Countries develop regulatory frameworks based on national priorities, hindering coordination. There is a lack of compatibility in technical standards, data protection systems and ethical consensus. Investment levels also differ, and some countries remain dependent on external support. Most importantly, there is still no unified AI governance system.
“Effective regulation in BRICS countries will require improving regulators’ technical expertise, multilateral rule-making, risk-based approaches, cross-border cooperation, and investment in testing and monitoring infrastructure,” says Alexander Titov.
Joint initiatives
Nevertheless, AI cooperation among BRICS countries appears not only realistic but inevitable. In July 2025, the BRICS Media and Think Tank Forum in Rio de Janeiro unveiled an initiative on AI cooperation for news production and analytical research. In November 2025, BRICS+ launched a hub of nearly 80 verified AI use cases from 30 countries. Governments increasingly emphasise AI cooperation as a strategic priority.
“The countries face similar challenges: large territories, multilingualism, and complex sectors like healthcare and agriculture. Sharing experience, developments and talent makes sense. Yes, there are political nuances, but practical cooperation works,” noted Semyon Tenyaev.
The future of AI in BRICS: cooperation or competition?
Experts agree that the future will involve both cooperation and competition.
“Competition is the engine. Without it, no one rushes to improve. But without cooperation, especially in research, security and infrastructure, it will be harder and more expensive for everyone. The optimal strategy is to compete in products and cooperate in foundations,” Tenyaev emphasised.
Alexander Titov also believes that AI’s future in BRICS will be a hybrid of cooperation and competition, especially to address ethical, environmental and other challenges posed by AI development.
“Cooperation is necessary to establish standards, ensure cross-border security and jointly address global challenges such as pandemics, climate change and food security,” Titov explained.
Only in this case can AI in the hands of BRICS become a powerful tool for the Global South, strengthening a multipolar world, reducing inequality and making education, healthcare and smart technologies accessible and, most importantly, safe.
The article was prepared by Svetlana Khristoforova.
Photo: Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn, Anuphan Poolkoet, FabrikaCr, Henvry, Alexander Sikov/iStock