Abstract
This article examines how BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) executed their AI initiatives for public sector transformation between 2012 and 2025. Drawing from national AI policy documents, sectoral implementations, and investment patterns, it highlights how BRICS countries employ different methods but share common governance renewal strategies. While China leads AI integration through its extensive smart city network, India innovates through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Brazil advances inclusive AI through its “AI for the Good of All” strategy, Russia emphasizes technological independence, and South Africa builds foundational policies with public-private partnerships. Together, these nations demonstrate a shift toward shared principles of digital self-governance, inclusivity, and fair technology distribution, as reflected in the 2025 BRICS Leaders’ Statement on Global AI Governance.
Introduction
Public administration faces a new era of transformation through artificial intelligence (AI), compelling governments worldwide to create comprehensive AI strategies. For the BRICS nations—representing 40% of the global population and significant economic power—this transformation offers both opportunities and challenges. The period between 2012 and 2025 has seen BRICS adopt distinct AI approaches: China’s sector-wide smart city integration, India’s DPI-led digital expansion, Brazil’s socially inclusive AI, Russia’s drive for technological sovereignty, and South Africa’s careful policy-building. Collectively, these strategies point to alternative models of governance, emphasizing digital sovereignty, inclusive practices, and Global South perspectives.
Review of Related Literature and Methodologies
Academic research on AI governance in emerging markets has increasingly focused on the distinct pathways BRICS nations adopt. A central theme is digital sovereignty—the pursuit of technological self-governance and independent digital development aligned with domestic growth plans and cultural values. This study employs a comparative case study method, analyzing national AI plans, budgets, ministerial statements, and progress reports (2012–2025), alongside secondary academic and organizational sources. The framework evaluates eight elements: national strategies, funding, digital infrastructure, healthcare AI, educational AI, smart cities, government operations, and service delivery.
China: Leadership in AI Integration
China spearheads AI reform with its Smart City Pilot Program (2012) and the New Generation AI Development Plan (2017). The “City Brain” model, deployed in over 800 cities, integrates real-time data, predictive analytics, and IoT for governance efficiency.
Key sectors include:
Healthcare: AI-powered diagnostics (Tencent Miying) and remote care under Healthy China 2030.
Education: AI-enabled inclusive teacher training and learning tools.
Urban governance: Robotics and IoT-driven smart city ecosystems.
India: Digital Public Infrastructure Innovation
India’s distinct model combines state funding and private innovation.
Core platforms include: Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker, now globally recognized.
AI Mission with $1.2 billion in funding for infrastructure and innovation hubs.
Healthcare: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission for telemedicine and patient management.
Education: Responsible AI for Youth and INDIAai FutureSkills.
Brazil: Inclusive AI Development
Brazil launched its AI for the Good of All initiative in 2024, supported by a $4 billion allocation under the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan (BAIP 2024–2028).
Distinct features: Ethical AI and transparency via the National Center for Algorithmic Transparency.
Applications in healthcare, education, security, and environmental protection.
Sustainable infrastructure includes data centers, high-performance computing, and expanded networks.
Russia: Technological Sovereignty
Russia’s Digital Economy Program (2019) underscores its goal of technological autonomy amidst geopolitical tensions. The strategy invests in supercomputing, AI research centers, and BRICS-China collaborations. While improvements in government services are evident, the 2021 maturity assessment revealed uneven digital transformation across its 85 regions, highlighting administrative and geographic challenges.
South Africa: Foundational Policy and Capacity Building
South Africa pursues methodical AI governance through the National AI Policy Framework (2024) and AI Action Taskforce (2025).
Core objectives:
Public-benefit AI solutions
Talent and expertise development
Policy research and economic growth conditions
Key institutions: CAIR (2011) and AIISA (2022). Initiatives like Smart ID expansion and Microsoft’s 2026 program (training one million South Africans) showcase its human-capital-first approach.
Comparative Analysis and Trends
Despite distinct pathways, BRICS nations converge on principles of digital self-governance, inclusivity, and equitable technology distribution. China leads with urban smart city adoption. India innovates scalable DPI for resource-constrained settings. Brazil focuses on ethical, socially inclusive AI. Russia prioritizes technological independence. South Africa emphasizes human capacity and policy frameworks. Adoption accelerated notably between 2020 and 2024, culminating in the 2025 BRICS Leaders’ Statement on Global AI Governance, which advocates for UN-based governance, digital sovereignty, and South-South cooperation.
Conclusion and Implications
BRICS nations have carved independent AI governance pathways, collectively challenging Western-dominated systems. Their varied models reveal four critical success elements:
Technological infrastructure
Human resource development
Institutional realignment
Ethical governance frameworks
The BRICS case demonstrates the Global South’s potential to shape AI governance tailored to diverse developmental contexts. Future studies must assess performance outcomes to validate these models’ effectiveness in ensuring inclusivity, technological autonomy, and governance modernization.
References
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BRICS Leaders Call for Global AI Governance Rooted in Sovereignty, Equity, and South-South Cooperation. (2025). BABL AI.
Digital Dynamics in BRICS: Exploring Digital Access and Policy Challenges. (2024). International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 6(6).
Artificial Intelligence and Climate: BRICS declaration proposes policies to protect workers. (2025). BRICS Brasil.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Fostering Multifaceted Cooperation among BRICS Nations. (2024). AfriPoli.
Brasil Launches a USD 4 Billion Plan for AI and Prepares Global Action. (2024). Government of Brasil.
China Smart Cities: Digital Evolution at Scale. (2025). CKGSB Knowledge.
Digital Sovereignty in the BRICS Countries. (2024). CyberBRICS.
BRICS Rio de Janeiro Declaration. (2025). Press Information Bureau, Government of India.
BRICS Leaders’ Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence. (2025). BRICS Summit Documentation.
Dia Lohia, student at the Mahindra United World College from Nepal
