Strategic Emphasis on AI and Industrial Cooperation

During the BRICS summit held in New Delhi, Chinese President Xi Jinping articulated a forward-looking agenda centered on advancing cooperation among member states through an initiative he termed “AI-empowered new industrialisation.” This initiative aims to deepen collaborative efforts in research, development, and practical applications of artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on strengthening industrial and supply chain linkages within the bloc. Xi underscored the necessity of leveraging AI technologies to enhance industrial capacities and foster self-reliance among emerging economies, positioning BRICS as a critical platform for technological and economic integration.

BRICS Expansion and Its Implications

Marking the 20th anniversary of BRICS, Xi highlighted the bloc’s historic expansion and growing influence as a cooperation platform for emerging markets and developing countries. He framed BRICS as a model for “joint self-reliance,” signaling Beijing’s intent to consolidate the group’s strategic autonomy in global economic governance. The expansion reflects an effort to diversify and strengthen the bloc’s collective bargaining power, particularly in technological domains such as artificial intelligence, which are increasingly central to global competitiveness and geopolitical leverage.

Global AI Governance and the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation

In a bid to shape the future of AI development and governance, Xi invited all BRICS members to engage with the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, a China-led initiative. This platform is designed to coordinate international standards and collaborative research in AI, reflecting Beijing’s ambition to assert leadership in setting global norms for emerging technologies. The move aligns with broader efforts to establish alternative frameworks to Western-dominated technology governance structures, thereby enhancing the strategic influence of BRICS nations in the digital economy.

BRICS’ Role in Middle East Peace and Global Stability

Beyond economic and technological cooperation, Xi called on BRICS to assume a “due role” in promoting peace in the Middle East. He criticized ongoing conflicts for causing significant human suffering and undermining global stability, emphasizing that such wars do not serve the interests of the international community. Xi urged the bloc to oppose geopolitical confrontations and foreign interference in sovereign affairs, implicitly positioning BRICS as a counterweight to existing power blocs and advocating for a multipolar international order.

Implications for Global Strategic Competition

China’s articulation of an AI-driven industrial strategy within BRICS, coupled with its call for a proactive political role, signals a comprehensive approach to enhancing the bloc’s strategic relevance. The integration of advanced technologies into industrial collaboration could bolster member states’ economic resilience and reduce dependencies on Western technological ecosystems. Simultaneously, the emphasis on geopolitical coordination, particularly regarding the Middle East, reflects an ambition to expand BRICS’ influence beyond economic domains into global security and diplomatic arenas. This dual focus underscores the evolving nature of strategic competition, where technological leadership and geopolitical positioning are increasingly intertwined.

Source:
South China Morning Post

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