Xi Jinping Proposes AI Industrial Plan at BRICS Summit to Counter West

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on BRICS member states to "firmly stand on the right side of history" during a high-profile address at the summit in New Delhi. The speech signaled China's intent to position the bloc as a primary alternative to Western-led global governance.

Central to the address was Xi's proposal for a new initiative on "AI-empowered new industrialisation." This plan is designed to deepen collaboration across member states regarding industry and supply chains, leveraging artificial intelligence to modernize production. The address served as a sharp critique of U.S. policies, with Xi framing BRICS as a necessary counterweight to the existing international institutions dominated by the West.

A Bloc in Transition

The summit coincided with the 20th anniversary of BRICS, marking the group's evolution from a loose economic framework into a significant geopolitical platform for emerging markets. This milestone comes at a time of extreme global instability, characterized by ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

However, the bloc is not without its own internal frictions. The New Delhi meeting took place against a backdrop of diplomatic tensions among its own members, specifically involving conflicts between Iran and other member states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. These internal rifts highlight the challenge of maintaining a unified front while expanding the group's influence.

Redefining the Global Order

Xi's push for an AI-driven industrial strategy is more than a technical proposal; it is a bid for leadership over the Global South. By attempting to define new technological standards and industrial norms, China is seeking to lead a shift in how the developing world manages its economic growth and digital infrastructure.

This strategy explicitly positions BRICS as a vehicle for a new international order. By championing "new industrialisation," China aims to reduce the reliance of emerging economies on Western technology and financial systems, potentially shifting the center of gravity for global trade and innovation.

Future Outlook

As BRICS continues to expand, the success of the AI-empowered industrialisation initiative will depend on whether member states can overlook their internal disputes in favor of a shared technological roadmap. Observers will be watching to see if the proposed collaboration on supply chains translates into concrete bilateral agreements or remains a rhetorical tool for diplomatic leverage against the West.