NEW DELHI: China will lead the creation of an “open-source zone for artificial intelligence” for BRICS countries, President Xi Jinping said on Sunday at a summit of the 11-nation group in New Delhi.
Chinese AI companies produce world-leading open-source AI models, whose underlying code is accessible for adaptation by users, while US developers have favoured closed-door approaches.
The proposal, part of the Chinese leader’s “initiative on open-source and inclusive AI”, included a promise to “support cooperation in the development and application of large language models”, according to a readout of Xi’s speech from state broadcaster CCTV.
The initiative would include establishing “specialised research and training on AI” for BRICS countries, with the goal of “building an open ecosystem for AI”, Xi said.
The BRICS bloc, which includes China, Russia and India, was created in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in institutions dominated by Western powers.
Xi also called for establishing a “broad, consensus-based global AI governance framework”.
Xi is expected to visit the United States this month for talks with President Donald Trump, with AI governance likely to be part of their discussions as fears grow that the world risks losing control of the rapidly developing technology.
Cooperation in areas from politics and security to economics and finance are the main focus areas of the grouping, with China and India seeking wider partnership to boost its global clout.
‘Greater BRICS Initiative’
The success of the “Greater BRICS Initiative” depends on laying a solid foundation for pragmatic cooperation, Xi told the annual summit in New Delhi.
‘Greater BRICS’ nations should further cooperate, maintain the stability of industrial and supply chains, and cultivate an integrated market, Xi told the summit’s closing session.
He also proposed a BRICS Special Economic Zone partnership and said China would host a BRICS Service Trade Forum next year to boost trade and investment ties.
BRICS has expanded to include Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates beyond an original membership of China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa two decades ago that aimed to transform a world order dominated by the United States.
In addition, 10 partner countries span emerging economies across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, broadening its reach across the Global South.
China and Russia sometimes refer to this larger bloc as “Greater BRICS”.
Fair world order
The benefits of solutions developed within BRICS should not stay limited to the bloc alone, but should be made adaptable and accessible to meet the needs of the Global South, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in remarks earlier.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called BRICS a powerful driving force towards creating a new, fairer and multipolar world order, urging its members to find ways to combine the competitive advantages of their individual economies.
Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2026
