Xi unveils Brics AI and smart manufacturing push
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Chinese President Xi Jinping used the second day of the Brics summit in New Delhi on Sunday to set out a technology-focused offer to fellow member states, centred on artificial intelligence and industrial upgrading. He said China would support the development and application of open-source large language models, help build smart manufacturing factories, and expand training and research cooperation across the bloc.
Key Points
- Xi spoke on Sunday at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where he addressed leaders from the 11-nation grouping
- He said China would lead the creation of an “open-source zone for artificial intelligence” for BRICS countries under an initiative on open-source and inclusive AI
- Beijing pledged to help Brics members develop and apply open-source large language models and build smart manufacturing factories to support growth.
- Xi also said China would provide specialised AI research and training, including training young talent from other member states in advanced technology and innovation.
- He called for a broad, consensus-based global AI governance framework, with AI governance likely to feature in his expected US talks later this month
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the announcement points to stronger policy backing for open-source AI and factory digitalisation in markets linked to China and the wider Global South. It also suggests that debates over AI rules, standards and access will increasingly be shaped not only by the United States and its closed-model developers, but by China’s push for a more open BRICS-centred ecosystem.