BRICS: Xi proposes open-source AI community and trade forum

Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a series of initiatives on Sunday, September 13, in New Delhi aimed at enhancing technological and commercial cooperation among BRICS nations, including an open-source artificial intelligence community. South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia, the African members of the group, participated in the summit.

According to the official Chinese account, Beijing aims to take the lead in building this BRICS open-source AI community, supporting the development and application of large language models, organizing specialized training, and fostering an open ecosystem. Reuters reports that Xi presented this initiative as one of the levers for more concrete cooperation within the expanded bloc.

The Chinese leader also proposed a partnership among BRICS special economic zones to better coordinate investment and trade policies. Additionally, China plans to host a BRICS Forum on service trade in 2027.

These announcements are part of a package of five initiatives presented at the conclusion of the summit. It also includes a cloud platform for the BRICS digital ecosystem, digital skills training programs, cooperation on smart factories, and an alliance aimed at training engineers.

A technological aspect that directly concerns the African members

South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia are among the full members of BRICS. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed participated in the session during which Xi Jinping detailed his proposals.

However, the Chinese initiative does not yet set a timeline for implementing the open-source AI community or a financing mechanism. It does, however, foresee cooperation on large language models, training, technological exchanges, and the harmonization of certain industrial practices.

Reuters highlights that Beijing and Moscow use the term “Greater BRICS” to refer to the expanded group of members and partner countries. Xi called on this group to secure industrial and supply chains and to develop a more integrated market, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for solutions developed within BRICS to also benefit countries in the Global South more broadly.

In the industrial sector, China expressed its readiness to assist other members in developing smart factories and common standards. The program presented in New Delhi also includes an exchange initiative for youth in science and technology, as well as cooperation on the recognition of engineers’ skills.