Xi pitches AI vision at BRICS summit as China competes with U.S.

Source: The Japan Times | Original Published At: 2026-09-13 23:12:59 UTC

Key Points

• Xi Jinping proposed a BRICS “community” for open-source AI during the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
• China said the initiative would support cooperation on developing and applying large language models and hold AI seminars and training courses for BRICS members.
• Xi invited BRICS nations to join the World AI Cooperation Organization, a new group of nearly 30 countries set up by Beijing.
• A BRICS joint declaration did not explicitly endorse Xi’s AI pitch but called for international cooperation on AI accessibility, safety, security, inclusiveness and reliability.
• China framed open-source AI as an alternative to closed U.S. models and criticized countries using blacklists, closed ecosystems and technology curbs to disrupt global AI supply chains.
• Beijing is expected to revisit AI governance when it hosts the 2027 BRICS summit, with state media suggesting a focus on AI, digital economy and green development.
• Xi emphasized balancing AI development and security, while official commentary indicated China should restrict access to the most powerful AI model features.