BRICS Science Academies Forum Advances AI for Global Cooperation
The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) successfully hosted the inaugural BRICS Science Academies Forum meeting, marking a significant step towards collaborative scientific advancement among BRICS nations. Under India’s BRICS Presidency 2026, the event convened virtually with the central theme, “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development and Strengthening Global South Cooperation.” Representatives from ten countries, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Belarus, Nigeria, and Vietnam, worked together to formulate a shared declaration aimed at fostering responsible AI development.
Moderated by Prof. Debashis Mitra, INSA’s Vice President (International), the meeting focused on structured discussions that highlighted the importance of AI as a tool for sustainable development. Prof. Mitra emphasized the objective of the forum within the broader context of India’s presidency theme, advocating for resilience, innovation, and cooperation in science.
Key Outcomes from the Meeting
A significant achievement was the review and enhancement of the draft declaration concerning AI’s role in science and sustainable development. Key outcomes included:
- A consensus on establishing a shared computing infrastructure and collaborative data platforms.
- Support for multilingual AI models to facilitate broader access.
- Proposals for joint task forces, researcher mobility schemes, and an open-source scientific infrastructure.
- An upcoming second meeting scheduled for July 22-23, 2026, at IIT Hyderabad to finalize the declaration.
India’s Leadership in Scientific Collaboration
As the BRICS presidency shifts to India in 2026, INSA is poised to lead scientific collaboration among member nations and other partners. This forum serves as a precursor to the pivotal BRICS Science Academies Forum Meeting set for July in Hyderabad. Prof. Shekhar C. Mande, President of INSA, noted the ambition of the forum to transform AI from dialogue into a practical instrument that promotes inclusive development across the Global South.
Draft Declaration Focuses on AI Equity
Prof. Ambuj Sagar, Founding Head of IIT Delhi’s School of Public Policy, outlined the draft declaration’s objectives. It addresses the pressing issue of unequal AI capabilities and the growing digital divide between developed and developing countries. The declaration aims to utilize AI to expedite scientific processes in areas such as materials science, drug development, and climate modeling, ensuring equitable benefits for the Global South.
Collaborative Insights
Participants provided tailored recommendations to refine the declaration. Major contributions included:
- The Chinese Academy of Sciences proposed collaborative benchmarks for AI readiness and data-sharing frameworks addressing bias and reliability.
- Egypt highlighted AI’s potential impacts on food security and healthcare, advocating for more investments in research.
- Indonesia emphasized the integration of AI in disaster management and sustainable agriculture.
- Ethiopia suggested enhanced cooperation in cybersecurity and higher education partnerships.
- Vietnam called for joint training programs to bridge AI skill gaps.
- Nigeria focused on advancing AI for innovation and national development.
- South Africa raised concerns about costs and social science dimensions associated with AI.
- Belarus stressed responsible AI use, especially in healthcare and cybersecurity.
A Common Path Forward
In summary, Prof. Anurag Agrawal, INSA’s Vice-President for Science Policy, identified shared priorities that emerged from the discussions. These include the development of open data ecosystems, technology sovereignty, efficient data centers, and multilingual AI resources. The meeting underscored the necessity of incorporating social sciences into AI development, advocating for ethical standards and robust governance frameworks that ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of AI systems.
The forthcoming recommendations will shape the final draft declaration, with Dr. Brajesh Pandey, Executive Director of INSA, announcing the next meeting for July 2026, where the final version is anticipated to be completed. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR–NIScPR) reflected actively in these discussions, contributing valuable insights into the future of AI in scientific collaboration.
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