On 28-29 April 2025, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations from BRICS member countries met in Rio de Janeiro. The Chair’s Statement from the end of the summit included considerations on Artificial Intelligence governance, emphasising the need for a United Nations-led framework that specifically addresses Global South priorities. This position signals the recently expanded BRICS bloc’s stance on AI regulation and could impact global technology governance approaches.
For BRICS nations, this AI position carries not only strategic technological importance but also represents an opportunity to advance their collective ambition to become the preeminent voice of the Global South on the world stage. Their unified stance reflects a direct challenge to Western-led AI governance frameworks, asserting that any global AI governance must be “representative, development-oriented, accessible, inclusive, dynamic, responsive” while respecting national sovereignty.
As global AI governance discussions intensify, technology companies face a strategic conundrum: how should they engage with competing governance frameworks and whose standards should they prioritise? The BRICS statement creates potential regulatory divergence by emphasising sovereignty and development concerns over other principles. Companies developing AI systems for global deployment may soon need to navigate increasingly complex regulatory environments shaped by geopolitical competition.
It’s significant that the ministers emphasised that AI must be “instrumental for promoting socio-economic development and inclusive growth in all societies” and specifically called for cooperation to strengthen AI capacity building in developing countries. The statement also stressed “the importance of promoting open-source development and international scientific and technological cooperation” – positions that could potentially influence standards development and technology sharing requirements.
Building global AI governance frameworks
Despite the apparent consensus within BRICS, the path toward unified global AI governance presents significant challenges. The ministers’ call for governance ‘under national regulatory frameworks’ while simultaneously advocating for UN-led international governance highlights inherent tensions between sovereignty and global standards. The ministers’ reference to UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/311 on ‘Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-building of Artificial Intelligence’ signals their intention to work through established multilateral channels while advancing their specific priorities.
Herein lies both a challenge and an opportunity for international organisations and technology companies engaged in AI governance discussions. By acknowledging BRICS’ position and continuing to work towards inclusive governance frameworks, stakeholders can help ensure that AI development benefits from diverse perspectives without becoming fragmented along geopolitical lines.
BRICS now represents a significantly expanded bloc following its January 2025 enlargement, which saw the inclusion of Indonesia, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan among its members and partners – thereby increasing its influence and amplifying its collective voice on technology governance. Its AI governance position expressed at the Rio de Janeiro meeting is likely to shape BRICS’ engagement on technology issues throughout 2025, under Brazil’s presidency theme of ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable ’.
New opportunities amid uncertainty
As BRICS advances its vision for a UN-led, development-focused AI governance framework that emphasises sovereignty and inclusive growth, companies can expect a more complex and multipolar regulatory environment. This is likely to bring greater regulatory divergence, alongside the emergence of specific standards and oversight bodies.
At the same time, new opportunities will arise through collaboration on capacity-building aligned with Global South priorities. To navigate this evolving landscape, companies will need to adopt flexible compliance strategies, engage proactively with diverse stakeholders, and prioritise responsible, locally adapted AI solutions that support equitable socio-economic development aligned with local priorities.
As the leading tech policy firm, Access Partnership can guide you through this transformative period. Our expertise in regulatory advocacy and market strategies ensures that your organisation is prepared to adapt to these transformations. To learn how your organisation can navigate the implications of Brazilian regulatory reforms and leverage opportunities in this evolving landscape, please contact Paula Corte Real at [email protected] and Geusseppe Gonzalez at [email protected].
