International Cooperation of the BRICS Countries in the Field of Artificial Intelligence as a Factor in Ensuring Technological Sovereignty

The article analyses the BRICS countries cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) as a factor in ensuring technological sovereignty amid geopolitical tensions that require each of these countries, including Russia, to counter the threat of technological dependence on Western technologies. The challenge lies in striking a balance between cooperation with other countries possessing complementary resources and competencies, and maintaining control over critical technologies. This requires analyzing various aspects of international interaction, and balancing the benefits and risks of participating in global value chains. The aim of the study is to assess the opportunities and challenges of BRICS cooperation in the field of AI. An analysis of the global competitiveness of the BRICS countries based on international AI and ICT indices shows the heterogeneity of the development of these areas. China, the UAE, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia occupy leading positions in AI development rankings. Scientific activity also varies significantly, with China leading the way in the number of highly cited AI publications from 2019 to 2023, surpassing both the BRICS countries and global indicators. The article highlights the priority areas of cooperation: institutionalization of cooperation mechanisms, the introduction of AI in critical sectors of the economy, the development of unified ethical standards, educational projects and cybersecurity. The main obstacles to joint projects include the coordination of different strategies for the development of the digital economy, regulatory differences, heterogeneity of scientific and technological potential, and financial constraints. As a result, it is revealed that further deepening of institutionalization and harmonization of the regulatory environment are necessary to increase the technological sustainability and independence of the BRICS countries.

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