Artificial Intelligence Governance in BRICS: Cooperation and Development for Social Inclusion
by Atahualpa Blanchet*
Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance and initiatives to drive development and reduce inequalities through technological innovation are top priorities for Brasil's BRICS presidency in 2025.
According to estimates from the Stanford AI Index Report 2024, more than 77% of companies already use some form of AI, and its impact on daily life is expanding, with virtual assistants, algorithm-assisted medical diagnoses, and automation systems in agribusiness.
In the context of BRICS, which brings together over 40% of the world's population, technological cooperation can drive the development of innovative solutions to improve living conditions for the people. With strategic investments in research and digital infrastructure, member countries have the potential to democratize access to Artificial Intelligence and promote applications that reduce inequalities, from personalized education platforms to environmental monitoring systems.
As a starting point, the ongoing exchange of experiences in applying AI for economic development and social inclusion can offer concrete solutions to BRICS countries in a context shaped by technological, energy, and demographic transitions.
Artificial Intelligence and Health
In the healthcare sector, for example, AI has shown great potential to expand access to early diagnoses and personalized treatments. China has implemented the Healthy China 2030 program, which includes a digital platform (Tencent Miying) capable of analyzing medical exams and identifying disease patterns such as cancer and diabetic retinopathy.
In India, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, launched in 2021, leverages IA in telemedicine and tools like Practo –a digital platform that connects patients with healthcare professionals in remote areas. In Russia, the Third Opinion system assists radiologists in detecting diseases, helping to reduce patient queues and optimize hospital management.
Education and the World of Work in the Digital Age
In education, the use of AI has raised ethical questions in teaching and research. Defining ethical principles, strengthening research networks, and investing in inclusive innovation are essential to ensuring that AI contributes to skill development in the digital age, especially in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
South Africa promotes initiatives such as FutureProofSA, which uses Artificial Intelligence to personalize learning programs by applying the concept of future adaptability. In India, the Diksha portal helps recommend educational content in multiple regional languages, tailored to students' realities and needs, with input from teachers.
Regarding public policies for workforce reskilling in the digital age, China has implemented the AI Vocational Training program to help young people enter the job market, while South Africa invests in the Digital Skills Development Program to foster training through human-algorithm interaction. Meanwhile, India’s Responsible AI for Youth program trains young people in the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence.
While AI creates new opportunities and fosters productive ecosystems, it also accelerates automation and digitalization, posing significant challenges for the workforce.
Work mediated by digital platforms, for example, has been expanding internationally, highlighting the need to strengthen mechanisms for social dialog and establish regulations to protect workers' rights. Notably, platform work and the platformization of labor relations are on the agenda for the next International Labour Organization (ILO) International Conference, set to take place in June 2025, requiring governments, workers, and employers to take a stance.
Food Security, Decarbonization, and Smart Cities
Food security is one of the most promising areas for Artificial Intelligence in BRICS countries. AI-driven systems can enhance productivity, reduce waste, and optimize food storage and distribution processes.
Russia, for example, has launched the Digital Agriculture program to automate agricultural production, ensuring traceability and quality control. In China, the Smart Agriculture Action Plan leverages Artificial Intelligence through the Pinduoduo platform to connect small farmers to the market and optimize the supply chain. Meanwhile, in India, Kisan e-Mitra, an AI-powered chatbot, provides farmers with weather forecasts and agricultural recommendations.
The environmental impact and energy consumption of operating data centers are topics that pose challenges for the development of data and connectivity infrastructure. At the same time, the application of Artificial Intelligence has the potential to support the decarbonization of energy and production systems in BRICS countries.
Brasil, for example, uses the Wind and Solar Energy Forecasting System to optimize clean energy generation. Another key tool is MapBiomas, which employs neural networks to monitor biomes and combat deforestation. China, meanwhile, has been pursuing decarbonization solutions through the Carbon Emission Trading Scheme, aimed at reducing carbon emissions in production processes and supply chains.
Artificial Intelligence has also been applied under the concept of smart cities. In Moscow, the AI Traffic Management system optimizes traffic flow through real-time algorithmic monitoring. In South Africa, the Integrated Resource Plan uses an algorithmic tool to integrate renewable energy into the power grid.
The Rio de Janeiro Operations Center, which will host the BRICS Summit in July 2025, is a leading example of data integration through sophisticated algorithms to generate city status alerts and mitigate accident and disaster risks.
BRICS and Artificial Intelligence Governance
By investing in connectivity, data infrastructure, and sharing successful experiences, BRICS countries can ensure that Artificial Intelligence serves as a tool to reduce inequalities and drive progress in strategic areas. The New Development Bank (NDB), in turn, plays a key role in financing projects that promote sustainable development and social inclusion through AI.
The creation of a BRICS observatory to monitor and share best practices in AI has been discussed as a way to strengthen collaboration among member countries. Additionally, the exchange of public policies and the use of open-source AI systems could foster joint initiatives involving multiple participants.
The application of Responsible AI principles —based on the precepts of human rights, data protection, and information integrity— is a cross-cutting theme in the technical meetings held within the BRICS framework. In this sense, UNESCO's Recommendation on Ethics in Artificial Intelligence remains a key reference instrument.
Likewise, it will be essential to consider the impact of Artificial Intelligence agents —more advanced systems characterized by a higher degree of autonomy and independence, as well as the ability to perform complex functions. Agentic AI has the potential to revolutionize sectors such as health, education, work, industry, trade, and agriculture while also posing challenges regarding its programming and ethical, responsible use.
Cooperation among BRICS countries offers significant opportunities to balance innovation and social justice, strengthening the digital sovereignty of Global South nations through an inclusive international governance framework for Artificial Intelligence.
Atahualpa Blanchet is researcher at the Institute of Advanced Studies at the University of São Paulo (Instituto de Estudos Avançados da Universidade de São Paulo /IEA-USP) and the Social Transformation and Society Research Group at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP).
Opinion articles published in this space are the sole responsibility of their authors and do not reflect the official position of the Brazilian Presidency of BRICS or the Brazilian government. The views expressed are independent and are intended to promote a pluralistic debate on issues relevant to the agenda of the Global South.