Brics and the AI Balancing Act: Can Global South Drive the Tech Future?

The recent BRICS declaration calling for UN-led global AI governance spotlights a crucial tension in tech today: innovation versus equitable access. On one hand, AI indeed represents a rocket fuel for inclusive growth, sustainability, and digital leaps for developing economies. But on the other, without a level playing field, it risks widening the already stark digital divide. That BRICS leaders emphasize open-source collaboration and protection against market barriers for smaller players feels like a refreshing pushback against big tech gatekeeping. The call for non-military, responsible AI use and shared technical standards reminds us that governance is foundational — not an afterthought — if AI is to be a true global public good. Yet, the challenge remains pragmatic: how do you implement global protocols and fairness when national interests, technological capabilities, and resource gaps vary so widely? It’s easy to talk about equal access to AI tech and data in a summit room, harder to translate that into real-world frameworks that empower the Global South without stifling innovation or creating bureaucratic roadblocks. For fans of AI as a true democratizing force, this is an invitation to think creatively about partnerships, sustainable tech transfer, and guarding digital sovereignty while welcoming fair competition. The real question that emerges: Can this BRICS-UN vision move beyond rhetoric to practical, scalable solutions — or will it highlight the persistent, complex geopolitical dance underpinning the AI revolution? Source: Brics in push for UN to take lead on setting rules for artificial intelligence