In BRICS open-source AI, China and India will make a good team

China's push for a BRICS open-source AI community is less about immediate technological breakthroughs and more about geopolitical influence. The proposal aims to counter the concentration of AI power in a few Western countries. It allows developing economies to build applications and adapt models without independent multi-billion dollar investments in frontier AI infrastructure. This initiative could democratize access to AI resources for the Global South.

For India, the proposal presents a clear opportunity to combine its vast software engineering talent with China's AI research and computing infrastructure. India's digital public infrastructure experience offers a strong foundation for AI applications. This collaboration could accelerate AI development in both nations, creating capabilities neither could easily achieve alone. It also reinforces India's "AI for All" vision for economic growth and social good.

The thing to watch is India's public endorsement of this China-led initiative. While conceptual convergence exists, India's specific commitment will determine the project's real momentum. A formal agreement by late 2026 would signal a significant shift in regional AI collaboration, potentially reshaping the balance of power in open-source AI development across Asia.