Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Xi Proposes BRICS Open-Source AI Ecosystem, With India Weighing Role
China’s President Xi Jinping suggested that BRICS countries work together on open-source artificial intelligence.
Open-source AI can be downloaded and used by developers under specific rules.
Xi said the group could cooperate on language-based AI models, training and seminars.
He also suggested creating a shared digital cloud platform.
India is interested in making AI resources more available, but it is also building its own systems through the IndiaAI Mission.
The BRICS countries did not officially approve Xi’s specific plan at the summit.
Instead, they agreed more generally to cooperate on AI that is safe, reliable and inclusive.
China may raise the proposals again when it leads BRICS in 2027.
Xi Jinping proposed a BRICS community focused on open-source AI, including large language models, training and seminars.
China also proposed a BRICS digital cloud platform and wider cooperation on digital skills, technology exchanges and intelligent manufacturing.
India’s domestic IndiaAI Mission seeks to expand access to compute, datasets and models while developing national AI infrastructure.
The New Delhi Declaration did not adopt Xi’s proposed community or cloud platform, committing instead to broader AI cooperation focused on safety and inclusion.
China’s proposal builds on models such as DeepSeek and Qwen and could return to the BRICS agenda when China chairs the group in 2027.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative for BRICS countries; India is a significant potential participant with its own AI programme.
- What
- Xi proposed a BRICS open-source AI community, cooperation on large language models and a shared digital ecosystem cloud platform.
- When
- The proposal was made at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on a Sunday; China is due to chair BRICS in 2027.
- Where
- The proposal was presented in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- China seeks to expand international cooperation around its AI ecosystem and offer lower-cost alternatives to proprietary U.S. systems, while India seeks broader access to AI resources and domestic AI capacity.
Open-Source AI Cooperation
Closed-Model and National AI Development
Access and delivery
Open-Source AI Cooperation
China is promoting downloadable or shareable AI models, cooperation among developing countries and potentially shared cloud infrastructure to make AI more accessible and affordable.
Closed-Model and National AI Development
Some leading U.S. developers, including OpenAI and Anthropic, use closed models generally accessed through company-controlled application programming interfaces.
BRICS policy
Open-Source AI Cooperation
Xi wants BRICS to cooperate on open-source models, training and digital infrastructure, and may revisit the proposals when China chairs the group.
Closed-Model and National AI Development
The New Delhi Declaration did not approve Xi’s specific proposals and instead emphasized broad cooperation focused on AI safety, security, reliability and inclusiveness.
India’s approach
Open-Source AI Cooperation
India supports wider access to compute, datasets, models and other AI infrastructure for developing countries, which could overlap with a future BRICS initiative.
Closed-Model and National AI Development
India is also investing in domestic AI infrastructure and Indian foundation models through the IndiaAI Mission, rather than relying entirely on an external shared platform.
- Proposal
- A BRICS AI open-source community led by China
- Proposed cooperation
- Large language models, AI training, seminars, digital skills and technology exchanges
- Additional proposal
- A BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform
- India’s programme
- The IndiaAI Mission supports domestic compute infrastructure, foundation models and datasets
- Summit outcome
- The New Delhi Declaration did not formally adopt the proposed open-source community or cloud platform
- Existing Chinese outreach
- China announced 5,000 AI training and seminar opportunities for developing countries over five years
- Future opportunity
- China is due to take the BRICS chairship in 2027
