PM Modi urges responsible AI, stronger South-South ties at BRICS Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for strengthening multilateralism, deepening economic cooperation, and ensuring responsible governance of Artificial Intelligence during his address at the BRICS Outreach Summit in Brazil.
Addressing the session titled ‘Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Matters, and Artificial Intelligence’, Prime Minister Modi thanked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for inviting him to share India’s views with partner countries from Latin America, Africa and Asia.
“It is a great pleasure for me to participate in this meeting with my friends from the extended BRICS family. My heartfelt thanks to President Lula for giving me the opportunity to share my views with friendly countries of Latin America, Africa, and Asia in the BRICS Outreach Summit,” he said.
Highlighting the increasing relevance of BRICS in a changing global order, the Prime Minister said, “Our confidence in the diversity and multipolarity of the BRICS Group is our greatest strength. Today, as the world order faces pressures from all sides and the world is going through many challenges and uncertainties, the increasing relevance and influence of BRICS is natural. We should together consider how BRICS can become a guide for the multipolar world in the times to come.”
The Prime Minister put forward four key suggestions to strengthen BRICS cooperation.
Firstly, he underlined that economic cooperation within BRICS is progressing steadily, with the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women Business Alliance playing an important role. He welcomed Brazil’s emphasis on reforms in the International Financial System under its presidency.
“In the form of BRICS New Development Bank, we have offered a strong and credible alternative to support the development aspirations of countries in the Global South. While approving projects, the NDB must focus on demand-driven approaches, long-term financial sustainability, and healthy credit rating. Strengthening our internal systems will further enhance the credibility of our call for reformed multilateralism,” he said.
Secondly, the Prime Minister said that the countries of the Global South have special expectations from BRICS and the group should work together to meet them.
“For instance, the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform, established in India, is a valuable initiative to enhance collaboration in agricultural research. It can become a medium for sharing research and best practices in topics such as agri-biotech, precision farming, and climate change adaptation. We can also extend its benefits to countries in the Global South,” he said.
He also highlighted India’s ‘One Nation, One Subscription’ initiative to expand access to academic resources and proposed a collective BRICS Science and Research Repository for the benefit of the Global South.
Thirdly, the Prime Minister called for cooperation to secure and strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and technologies. “It’s important to ensure that no country uses these resources for its own selfish gain or as a weapon against others,” he said.
Fourth, speaking on Artificial Intelligence, the Prime Minister stressed the need for global standards for responsible and ethical use of AI.
“In the 21st century, the progress and well-being of people largely depends on technology, especially Artificial Intelligence. On one hand, AI can greatly improve everyday life; while on the other hand, it also raises concerns about risks, ethics, and bias,” he noted.
He added, “India’s approach and policy on this topic are clear: We see AI as a medium to enhance human values and potential. Working on the mantra of ‘AI for All’, today we’re widely and actively using AI in sectors like agriculture, health, education, governance in India.”
He said equal focus must be given to addressing concerns and promoting innovation in AI governance. “Global standards must be created that can verify the authenticity of digital content, so that we can identify the source of the content and maintain transparency and prevent misuse,” he said, adding that the Leaders’ Statement on Global Governance of AI released at the meeting is a positive step in this direction.
Prime Minister Modi announced that India will host the AI Impact Summit next year and invited all partner countries to participate. “We hope for your active participation to make this summit a great success,” he said.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to the Global South, the Prime Minister said, “The Global South has many hopes from us. To fulfil them, we must follow the principle of ‘Lead by Example’. India is fully committed to working shoulder-to-shoulder with all our partners to achieve our common goals.”
