BRICS leaders call for stronger international cooperation and wider access to AI resources
BRICS leaders on Saturday (12 September 2026) called for greater access to artificial intelligence resources and enhanced international cooperation to ensure the technology is safe, secure, inclusive and reliable and its potential risks are mitigated, as they pledged to implement the group’s declaration on “Global Artificial Intelligence Governance”.
The New Delhi 2026 Declaration, adopted at the 18th BRICS summit held in the national capital, laid out a broad technology agenda covering AI, cyber security, digital public infrastructure (DPI), telecom and submarine networks, quantum technologies, startups and advanced manufacturing.
The declaration highlighted the enormous opportunity AI offers to stimulate economic growth and sustainable development for all.
It championed a concerted and inclusive effort to address challenges arising from and within the digital realm, such as ICT security threats, malicious software, data security and misuse of technology including cybercrime, disinformation, hate speech, disinformation and deep-fake information.
The declaration also called for wider access to AI resources, along with security and reliability guarantees, and pledged to “implement the BRICS Leaders’ Statement on Global AI Governance”.
Supporting the science of artificial intelligence
The declaration called for supporting AI for science and innovation, developing trustworthy AI technologies, improving the energy efficiency of AI systems, and mitigating potential risks.
“We further note that international cooperation in improving the availability of AI resources while ensuring their safety, security, inclusiveness and reliability, to promote the energy efficiency of AI systems, to promote AI science and innovation, to develop credible AI technologies, to use AI for economic growth and social good, and to mitigate potential risks would be necessary especially to promote a fair, just, equitable and prosperous future for all countries of the South,” it said.
The statement highlighted India’s Summit on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence held in February and the World Conference on Artificial Intelligence and High Level Meeting on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence in Shanghai.
A sovereign digital ecosystem
In another key statement, the declaration called for deeper cooperation towards building a “sovereign and self-sufficient digital ecosystem”, while recognizing that digital and ICT ecosystems are essential for economic development, social inclusion, service provision and innovation.
“Recognizing that digital and ICT ecosystems are critical foundations for economic development, social inclusion, better service delivery, sustainable growth, resilience and innovation, we emphasize deepening BRICS cooperation towards a sovereign and self-sustaining digital ecosystem,” the statement said.
It highlighted the transformative potential of resilient, safe, secure, inclusive and interoperable digital public infrastructure and digital public goods based on national priorities and circumstances to strengthen digital ecosystems and deliver services at scale and increase social and economic opportunities for all.
“We take note of the proposal to launch a digital public infrastructure repository for BRICS countries and pilot projects of digital public infrastructure solutions for digital transformation for BRICS countries,” it said.
Connectivity support
BRICS countries have supported continued cooperation on submarine cable infrastructure to strengthen international digital connectivity and network resilience, while advancing a proposed feasibility study for a high-speed communications network connecting member countries.
“We appreciate the coordination of the specialized working group that concluded the document “BRICS Cable Requirements: Directive Brief” following the Rio de Janeiro Declaration of 2025, which welcomed the discussion on conducting a “Technical and Economic Feasibility Study” for the establishment of a high-speed communication network through undersea cables between the BRICS countries. In this regard, we support continued dialogue and cooperation among the BRICS countries in accordance with national circumstances. and priorities,” the statement reads.
She called on the BRICS STI Steering Committee to continue this dialogue within the Task Force and propose next steps for the feasibility study, respecting national priorities and regulations, and talked about enhanced coordination between the BRICS ICT Track and the STI Track to avoid duplication of work for further progress.
Request common protocols
Member countries also noted the key role of the BRICS Security Working Group in facilitating greater exchange between cyber threat response teams, law enforcement cooperation and joint research and development, and called for the creation of globally interoperable common rules and standards for ICT supply chain security. It also urged states to consider signing and ratifying the UN Convention against Cybercrime.
“We call for a comprehensive, balanced and objective approach to the development and security of ICT products and systems, as well as the development and implementation of globally interoperable common rules and standards for supply chain security,” the statement said, highlighting the growing importance of telecommunications for peacekeeping and economic and social development.
AI and Intellectual Property
The declaration also touched on the contentious intersection of AI and intellectual property and recognized the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in the digital environment, including AI training, as well as “fair remuneration” for rights holders while taking into account the priorities of developing countries.
“With the rise of artificial intelligence, we are aware of the risks associated with the misappropriation and distortion of knowledge, heritage and cultural values that are under-represented in AI datasets and models.
On emerging technologies and innovation, BRICS members welcomed cooperation in areas such as quantum technologies and the proposed BRICS Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network centers. Leaders also welcomed the establishment of a network of BRICS incubators and further consideration of the establishment of a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund to catalyze innovation-based growth.
The role of youth
Emphasizing the “important role” of youth in driving innovation and contributing to collective prosperity, economic growth and future competitiveness, the declaration said: “We call on BRICS members to encourage the involvement of young researchers and start-ups through established mechanisms, including the Young Scientists Forum and the Young Innovators Prize”.
It recognized initiatives aimed at strengthening innovation ecosystems and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, including the proposed Virtual Platform for BRICS Young Start-ups, which will enable engagement and networking between BRICS Young Scientists and Young Innovators graduates and facilitate dialogue, networking and voluntary exchange between them.
The declaration further encouraged cooperation in Industry 4.0, smart factories, robotics and advanced digital manufacturing technologies, including greater adoption of AI by manufacturing companies and SMEs.