Kazakhstan Proposes BRICS Plus AI Partnership to Unite National Research Hubs

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed the creation of a BRICS Plus Partnership on Artificial Intelligence to link national research centres, laboratories, and multilingual development projects across emerging economies. Speaking at the BRICS Plus outreach session in New Delhi, Tokayev emphasized that emerging technologies are rapidly reshaping global economic structures and institutional balances, urging member states to pool resources to secure technological self-reliance.

The proposal forms part of a broader technology framework adopted under the New Delhi Declaration 2026 at the 18th BRICS Summit. The comprehensive agreement outlines cooperative mandates spanning digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity standards, quantum computing, and submarine cable communications, while committing member states to implement existing policy frameworks on global AI governance and equitable technological access.

President Tokayev outlined a collaborative architecture designed to bridge technological gaps among emerging nations. By combining the computing capacity of leading economies with large-scale development goals, the initiative seeks to foster joint scientific innovation while prioritizing equitable resource distribution.

"By combining the technological capabilities of leading emerging economies with their scale, BRICS can unlock new opportunities for innovation, investment, and sustainable growth," Tokayev stated during the plenary session. He added that Kazakhstan is prepared to leverage its advanced computing infrastructure and United Nations digital centers to support the collaborative network, specifically targeting the creation of multilingual AI solutions tailored to diverse linguistic groups.

The New Delhi Declaration places heavy emphasis on the safe, secure, and inclusive deployment of frontier technologies, framing artificial intelligence as a primary driver of sustainable development for the Global South. Leaders committed to fostering trustworthy AI systems, improving energy efficiency across computational infrastructure, and mitigating systemic risks such as algorithmic bias and data misappropriation.

Particular concern was raised regarding intellectual property and cultural preservation within digital training models. The declaration formally recognized risks tied to the misrepresentation or misappropriation of cultural heritage and historical knowledge when datasets lack adequate representation from developing regions, calling for fair remuneration mechanisms for rights holders.

Beyond artificial intelligence, the summit declarations established rigorous guidelines for ICT supply chain security, telecommunications resilience, and the prevention of cybercrime. Member states addressed rising threats from malicious software, deepfakes, disinformation campaigns, and hate speech, advocating for globally interoperable standards to protect critical digital architecture.

The grouping also advanced proposals for a shared digital public infrastructure repository and pilot transformation projects designed to scale public service delivery. To support international connectivity, participating nations reviewed technical feasibility studies for high-speed submarine communication cables linking member countries across geographic corridors.

To foster grassroots technological growth, the summit endorsed the creation of a BRICS Incubator Network and laid groundwork for a potential BRICS Startup Innovation Fund. These structures aim to connect young researchers, developers, and early-stage enterprises through virtual platforms and exchange programs.

The declaration emphasized youth engagement through established channels like the Young Scientists Forum, encouraging cross-border collaboration in advanced manufacturing, smart factories, and robotics under Industry 4.0 paradigms. Member states also agreed to coordinate closely between research and ICT tracks to prevent administrative duplication across working groups.

As the summit concluded, participating leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral frameworks, open economic cooperation, and sovereign digital ecosystems. The proposed AI partnership and infrastructure initiatives now move toward technical committees and working groups tasked with drafting implementation timelines and voluntary participation frameworks across member and partner nations.