BRICS Nations Call for UN-Led Global AI Governance

Leaders of the BRICS nations issued a joint statement during the XVII BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro calling for a global AI governance framework. The BRICS nations advocate for an inclusive system rooted in sovereignty and ethical responsibility for non-military applications, arguing that governance should be anchored in the United Nations to prevent regulatory fragmentation that could marginalize developing countries.

The group identified fair access to AI technologies, the protection of digital sovereignty, and the mitigation of algorithmic bias against underrepresented cultures as primary priorities. These diplomatic efforts coincide with a broader push by member states to reduce reliance on Western technology through the development of sovereign AI ecosystems.

Individual member initiatives include China's state-funded AI strategy, India's $1.2 billion IndiaAI mission, and Russia's defense-focused National AI Strategy 2030. To provide the necessary financial infrastructure for these goals, the New Development Bank launched a $5 billion Digital Sovereignty Fund in 2025 to finance the construction of data centers and chip manufacturing.