Digital Sovereignty & Ethical AI in BRICS Countries
BRICS leaders were clear on their position during the BRICS summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They called for strong protective measures against AI abuse or to simplify unethical use of AI, and made it extremely clear that digital sovereignty isn’t to be bartered at any price. It is a necessity. Tech Giants have been harvesting data covertly or for free from the original sources. For the bloc, it is enough. Preventing unethical practices was the main target of the summit. The bloc demands balanced frameworks that uphold the rights of creators and allow nations full data sovereignty. The message is loud and clear. “Respect digital boundaries or face consequences.”
Digital Sovereignty Challenges Tech Giants
According to The Indian Express, Digital sovereignty stole the spotlight at BRICS 2025. Leaders pushed for firm control over their own digital information. Specifically, they made it clear that each nation should decide how data flows within its country. After all, it’s their country’s intellectual property. The message was simple: BRICS won’t let Big Tech Giants steal data anymore. Consequently, by backing each other, they’re building a shared front that puts fairness and control above foreign influence. They aren’t bluffing; they are just making a power move in today’s digital era with a fair warning to all AI organizations.
BRICS on the World Stage Embracing Digital Sovereignty
BRICS leaders are firmly focused on AI governance and data control. However, they didn’t shy away from addressing the broader geopolitical concerns. For example, the summit reflected strong opposition to ongoing violence in Gaza and Iran, and furthermore, called for reforms in outdated global institutions. As a result, digital sovereignty isn’t just a tech issue; instead, it’s a symbol of a shifting world order where developing nations demand their place at the table and refuse to stay hidden, whether it’s the Gaza v/s Iran clash or Russia v/s Ukraine.
A Unified Vision for AI Ethics
Digital sovereignty was one of the main discussion topics of this year’s BRICS 2025 summit. Their summit statement called for transparency, accountability, and fair access to AI. Which, if you don’t know, means no data stealing, unethical use of AI, and giving credit to the data source. The goal is simply to ensure innovation doesn’t overstep privacy or national control and risk everything the nation worked hard for. BRICS is using data control to level the ground, letting developing nations actually shape how AI works for them instead of the other way around. According to the Times of India, P.M. Modi posted on X, addressing “The BRICS Summit Plenary session on Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs, and Artificial Intelligence.”
Navigating Diverse Interests
Digital sovereignty is a common goal, but getting all BRICS members on the same page is far from easy. Especially when they all come from different places. Each nation has its own priorities, and not everyone agrees on how much control is too much control. While some support open innovation, others stand guarded, fearing that AI influence could threaten national security. Not their fault, it’s something to be concerned about. As more countries like the UAE, Egypt, and Iran join the bloc, the clash in information control interpretations is only growing. Still, despite the friction, digital sovereignty remains one of the threads holding the bloc together in place. Even if harmony is strong, the shared force of autonomy in the digital era keeps BRICS moving in the same direction. It’s like a group project where everyone has a different personality, but the same goal.
Expansion Brings Power & Complexity
The BRICS bloc isn’t what it used to be. What started with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa has now grown into a massive alliance. Welcoming countries like Egypt, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia. Side note, mostly Oil nations. With more than 30 nations expressing their interest in joining, the group now represents over half the world’s population and nearly 40% of its economic output. Crazy right? But with growth comes friction, like great powers come with great responsibility, especially when national interests clash. Still, the force for autonomy in the digital era remains a rare point of unity. Kudos to them.
Towards Legal Compatibility
Legal compatibility is one of the key factors of digital sovereignty across all BRICS countries. The bloc’s data protection law states that information can flow across borders without risking anything, especially control. It’s about keeping authority intact and making legal data flow ethically possible. This aligns with the efforts taken by UNESCO’s AI governance push for ethical data use without giving up on data sovereignty. Let’s be honest, data privacy isn’t an option; it’s a basic need for both individual’s and a nation’s safety.
Symbolism Over Optics
The summit was set in Rio’s iconic Museum of Modern Art, which was symbolic, but some leaders were absent. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended virtually due to obvious legal restrictions, and China’s President Xi Jinping sent his premier instead. Despite that, the presence of key figures like India’s Narendra Modi and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa represented that BRICS is still serious about shaping the future, not just of AI, but of global diplomacy itself. With less theft and more security.
Until we meet next, scroll!
