Leaders from the BRICS coalition of nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and additional member countries — issued a joint declaration at their 2026 summit in New Delhi, calling for strengthened international cooperation on artificial intelligence and advocating for wider global access to AI technologies and resources.
The New Delhi Declaration 2026, as it has been titled, centers on the argument that AI holds enormous potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and advance sustainable development goals across both developed and developing nations. However, the document also acknowledges that these benefits will not be evenly distributed unless deliberate action is taken to ensure broader participation in the AI ecosystem.
The declaration urges member states and the international community to work toward reducing disparities in AI capabilities, particularly between nations that currently lead in AI research and those that lag behind due to limited infrastructure, funding, or technical expertise. It calls for collaborative frameworks around data sharing, capacity building, and technology transfer that could help bridge what some analysts describe as an emerging "AI divide" between wealthy and poorer countries.
Bringing the summit to New Delhi marks a significant moment for India, which has positioned itself as a major player in the global AI landscape through its large tech sector, growing startups, and government initiatives such as the IndiaAI mission. The hosting role gives New Delhi a platform to shape the conversation around how AI governance and access can be approached multilaterally, rather than being dominated by a handful of Western tech giants and governments.
While the declaration does not lay out specific binding commitments or detailed policy prescriptions, it signals a broader trend within the BRICS grouping: a desire to present a unified front on emerging technologies and to ensure that discussions about AI regulation and standards include voices from the Global South. Analysts note that the timing is strategic, as the United Nations, the European Union, and other multilateral bodies continue to develop AI governance frameworks — and BRICS nations want to make sure their perspectives are represented.
The declaration also touches on the importance of ensuring that AI development aligns with principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and respect for national sovereignty in digital matters. Member states reaffirmed their commitment to using AI as a tool for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and climate resilience.
As the global conversation on AI continues to evolve, the New Delhi Declaration represents an effort by BRICS nations to steer that conversation toward greater equity and cooperation — even as questions remain about how much practical follow-through the group can deliver on its ambitious language.
