China Pitches Open-Source AI Community to BRICS Nations

China has proposed the creation of an open-source artificial intelligence community among BRICS countries, placing AI cooperation at the centre of its broader effort to strengthen technological ties with emerging economies. Chinese President Xi Jinping made the proposal at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, presenting China as a potential technology partner for countries seeking greater access to advanced AI capabilities.

Under the proposal, China would take a leading role in developing cooperation around large language models, while supporting specialised AI research, seminars and training programmes for BRICS members. The broader goal is to establish what Xi described as an open AI ecosystem, potentially allowing participating countries to share expertise and develop applications without depending entirely on proprietary technology from major Western companies.

The initiative reflects the growing strategic importance of open-source and open-weight AI models in the global technology race. Chinese companies have developed several highly capable models that are available more openly than many leading systems from US companies. Beijing is increasingly presenting this approach as a way for developing countries to gain access to AI technology at lower cost and build their own digital capabilities.

For BRICS countries, the proposal could create opportunities for collaboration in areas such as AI research, cloud computing, digital skills and software development. It could also strengthen technological independence among members of the expanded bloc, particularly as access to advanced chips, computing infrastructure and proprietary AI systems becomes an increasingly important issue in international relations. However, it remains unclear how much practical support other BRICS members have given to the specific Chinese proposal.

China’s proposal also arrives amid an increasingly intense debate over how artificial intelligence should be governed globally. Xi called for a broad, consensus-based international framework for AI governance, while China continues to compete with the United States for influence over the technology’s future. Whether the BRICS initiative develops into a functioning shared AI ecosystem will depend on funding, infrastructure, technical cooperation and the willingness of member countries to align their policies.