Leaders of the BRICS bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa have vowed to push for stronger protections against the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence (AI), citing concerns over data privacy, intellectual property rights, and fair economic returns. This call comes amid growing global scrutiny of the practices employed by AI developers, particularly regarding the use of copyrighted and personal data in training sophisticated AI models.
During their two-day summit in Rio de Janeiro, the bloc dedicated a significant portion of Sunday’s discussions to AI governance. According to a draft communiqué seen by Reuters, BRICS leaders emphasized the need to curb excessive data collection by major AI companies, most of which are headquartered in developed Western nations.
“Emerging economies must not become mere data mines for global tech giants,” said one official familiar with the summit’s agenda. The leaders are expected to propose international mechanisms that ensure AI models do not use personal or copyrighted data without consent and appropriate compensation.
This stance reflects a growing backlash against large tech firms such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta, which have faced criticism for training AI models on vast datasets scraped from the internet including books, artwork, and user-generated content without adequately compensating creators. Many governments and rights organizations argue that this amounts to digital exploitation.
The BRICS nations aim to champion a more equitable AI ecosystem by advocating for clear international rules on data ownership, transparency in model training, and fair monetization of digital assets. They are also seeking to develop their own AI capabilities to reduce reliance on Western technologies and promote innovation within their own borders.
The summit’s discussions also come amid efforts by BRICS to expand its global influence. Several other countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, have recently joined or expressed interest in aligning with the bloc, strengthening its collective voice on technology and digital policy.
As AI continues to transform societies, BRICS leaders insist that development must be guided by principles of fairness, consent, and sovereignty values they believe must underpin the future of global tech governance.