Blab Tech
China Urges BRICS Nations to Deepen AI Collaboration at New Delhi Summit
On September 12, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping stepped onto the podium at the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi and called for a dramatic upswing in artificial‑intelligence cooperation among the bloc’s members. Xi urged the group to "firmly seize the initiative" and lift AI collaboration to a new level, a statement that dovetailed with the summit’s theme—Building for Resilience, Innovation, Co‑operation and Sustainability—centered on technology and economic integration.
Xi’s remarks followed the July launch of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). The Shanghai‑based body, founded by China and signed on by 29 countries, seeks to promote AI governance, capacity building and industrial cooperation across the Global South. In his address, Xi welcomed the participation of BRICS states in WAICO’s activities, noting that the organization could help member countries accelerate industrialization, achieve breakthroughs in research and development, and deepen cooperation along industrial and supply‑chain lines.
The 18th BRICS summit, hosted by India under its 2026 chairmanship, is the latest gathering of the bloc that now includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The meeting has been used by the group to coordinate policy on digital payments, digital identity, cybersecurity and AI, among other topics. India’s own "Digital India" agenda, which seeks to expand broadband access and promote AI in public services, dovetails with the summit’s emphasis on technology cooperation.
Analysts view WAICO as a counterweight to the United States‑led Pax Silica initiative, which seeks to secure supply chains for semiconductors and AI hardware. By positioning WAICO as a platform for the Global South, China aims to reduce dependence on Western technology and foster a more multipolar AI landscape. The organization’s focus on industrial and supply‑chain cooperation could encourage BRICS members to share data sets, develop joint AI models and coordinate standards for safety and ethics.
The speech also highlighted the practical benefits of AI for member economies. Xi said that AI could spur industrial growth, improve public services and support scientific research. He emphasized the need for "practical cooperation" in the new area, implying that joint projects, talent exchanges and shared research facilities could be part of the strategy. While the summit did not announce specific joint ventures, the framework laid out by Xi provides a policy backdrop for future collaborations.
India’s participation in WAICO is expected to bring its large data‑generation capacity and growing AI start‑up ecosystem into the fold. The country’s recent investment in AI research centers and its push for AI‑enabled healthcare and agriculture solutions could serve as a model for other BRICS members. Meanwhile, Russia’s long‑standing collaboration with China on AI for defense and industrial applications may deepen under the new framework.
The call for AI cooperation aligns with China’s broader national strategy, which aims to become a global AI leader by 2030. The State Council’s 2025 policy documents emphasize training data security, model testing and alignment with national values. By encouraging BRICS participation in WAICO, China seeks to create a shared pool of resources that can help member states meet these regulatory and technical standards.
As the summit continues, BRICS leaders are expected to discuss concrete mechanisms for AI cooperation, including joint research grants, shared data‑infrastructure and harmonized regulatory frameworks. The WAICO membership list, which now includes 29 countries, is likely to expand as more BRICS states sign up. No immediate product launches or regulatory actions have been announced, but the call for deeper AI collaboration signals a shift toward coordinated development and governance within the bloc.
The 18th BRICS summit has set a new agenda for AI cooperation among its members, with China’s President Xi Jinping urging the bloc to seize initiative and deepen collaboration through the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. While specific projects remain to be defined, the framework established at the summit provides a foundation for joint research, industrialization and supply‑chain integration. The next steps will involve formalizing cooperation mechanisms, expanding WAICO membership, and aligning regulatory standards across the BRICS economies.
Xi’s remarks followed the July launch of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). The Shanghai‑based body, founded by China and signed on by 29 countries, seeks to promote AI governance, capacity building and industrial cooperation across the Global South. In his address, Xi welcomed the participation of BRICS states in WAICO’s activities, noting that the organization could help member countries accelerate industrialization, achieve breakthroughs in research and development, and deepen cooperation along industrial and supply‑chain lines.
The 18th BRICS summit, hosted by India under its 2026 chairmanship, is the latest gathering of the bloc that now includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The meeting has been used by the group to coordinate policy on digital payments, digital identity, cybersecurity and AI, among other topics. India’s own "Digital India" agenda, which seeks to expand broadband access and promote AI in public services, dovetails with the summit’s emphasis on technology cooperation.
Analysts view WAICO as a counterweight to the United States‑led Pax Silica initiative, which seeks to secure supply chains for semiconductors and AI hardware. By positioning WAICO as a platform for the Global South, China aims to reduce dependence on Western technology and foster a more multipolar AI landscape. The organization’s focus on industrial and supply‑chain cooperation could encourage BRICS members to share data sets, develop joint AI models and coordinate standards for safety and ethics.
The speech also highlighted the practical benefits of AI for member economies. Xi said that AI could spur industrial growth, improve public services and support scientific research. He emphasized the need for "practical cooperation" in the new area, implying that joint projects, talent exchanges and shared research facilities could be part of the strategy. While the summit did not announce specific joint ventures, the framework laid out by Xi provides a policy backdrop for future collaborations.
India’s participation in WAICO is expected to bring its large data‑generation capacity and growing AI start‑up ecosystem into the fold. The country’s recent investment in AI research centers and its push for AI‑enabled healthcare and agriculture solutions could serve as a model for other BRICS members. Meanwhile, Russia’s long‑standing collaboration with China on AI for defense and industrial applications may deepen under the new framework.
The call for AI cooperation aligns with China’s broader national strategy, which aims to become a global AI leader by 2030. The State Council’s 2025 policy documents emphasize training data security, model testing and alignment with national values. By encouraging BRICS participation in WAICO, China seeks to create a shared pool of resources that can help member states meet these regulatory and technical standards.
As the summit continues, BRICS leaders are expected to discuss concrete mechanisms for AI cooperation, including joint research grants, shared data‑infrastructure and harmonized regulatory frameworks. The WAICO membership list, which now includes 29 countries, is likely to expand as more BRICS states sign up. No immediate product launches or regulatory actions have been announced, but the call for deeper AI collaboration signals a shift toward coordinated development and governance within the bloc.
The 18th BRICS summit has set a new agenda for AI cooperation among its members, with China’s President Xi Jinping urging the bloc to seize initiative and deepen collaboration through the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. While specific projects remain to be defined, the framework established at the summit provides a foundation for joint research, industrialization and supply‑chain integration. The next steps will involve formalizing cooperation mechanisms, expanding WAICO membership, and aligning regulatory standards across the BRICS economies.
