Artificial intelligence in Brics Countries : sovereignty, development stages, and different perspectives

Abstract

The study analyzes key reference documents on artificial intelligence (AI) published by ten BRICS member countries, with the objective of identifying their priorities for the development of this technology. The methodology is based on document analysis, supported by content analysis software, and guided by the concepts of technological and digital sovereignty, as well as four structuring dimensions used to evaluate each country: i) computational infrastructure; ii) data; iii) skilled workforce; and iv) research and development (R&D). The results reveal a heterogeneous landscape, marked by varying ambitions and stages of maturity. China and Russia stand out for their pursuit of global leadership in AI, marked by substantial investments in comprehensive technological sovereignty, ranging from hardware to algorithms. In contrast, countries such as Iran prioritize regional dominance. Other members present strategies less focused on autonomous innovation, instead emphasizing the adoption of AI solutions to enhance public services (health, security, education). A shortage of skilled professionals and weaknesses in R&D systems are common challenges across all countries. In the field of international cooperation, initiatives such as shared infrastructures (for instance, regional computing hubs), along with legislation on data sharing and interoperability frameworks, are identified as crucial issues for BRICS countries.