Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving from a specialised technology into a fundamental component of economic infrastructure. In the coming years, countries’ access to advanced AI models, computing resources, quality data and skilled professionals will increasingly influence their economic competitiveness. Against this backdrop, China’s proposal for greater artificial intelligence cooperation among BRICS countries deserves attention.
President Xi Jinping has proposed establishing a BRICS AI open-source community led by China. The initiative would encourage collaboration in the development and deployment of large language models, provide specialised AI training and create an open technological ecosystem for participating countries.
For developing economies, particularly those in the Global South, such cooperation could reduce some of the formidable barriers to entering the global AI industry.
Developing cutting-edge AI models independently requires enormous computing resources, costly data centres, extensive datasets and highly specialised expertise. Most developing countries lack the financial and technological capacity to compete directly with the world’s largest technology corporations.
Open Models Could Provide an Alternative Path
Open-weight AI models offer developing countries a more accessible route. Instead of creating advanced models entirely from the ground up, developers can obtain existing models and customise them for specific languages, industries and public-sector requirements.
China has become increasingly prominent in this area, with models including Qwen, DeepSeek, Kimi and GLM expanding the availability of capable AI systems beyond major Western technology companies.
However, open-weight models should not automatically be considered completely open-source. While model weights may be publicly accessible, training datasets, development code and other important components can remain unavailable.
The broader opportunity, therefore, extends beyond access to individual models.
China has also proposed a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, programmes for improving digital skills, collaboration in smart manufacturing and an alliance for engineering training. Together, these proposals recognise that successful AI adoption requires human expertise and physical infrastructure alongside software.
Pakistan Has an Opportunity to Develop Localised AI
Pakistan has strong reasons to participate seriously in this emerging technological environment. Its large population, youthful workforce and established information technology and IT-enabled services industry provide a foundation for moving towards higher-value AI development, integration and specialised digital services.
Rather than attempting to bear the enormous expense of developing frontier AI systems independently, Pakistan could adapt existing models to meet domestic requirements.
Language represents one of the clearest opportunities.
Urdu and Pakistan’s regional languages remain considerably less supported by AI systems than English and several other widely used languages. Pakistan could customise existing models for local languages and develop applications for translation, document analysis, education and access to public information.
AI Applications Could Extend Across Major Sectors
Agriculture presents another practical opportunity. AI systems could integrate weather information, agricultural data, satellite imagery and local expertise to provide farmers with timely guidance. Such technologies would complement rather than replace agricultural specialists, allowing their expertise to reach communities with limited access to professional advice.
Healthcare could similarly benefit from AI-assisted processing of medical records, support for clinical workflows and wider access to basic health information.
In education, affordable AI-based tutoring systems could provide students with personalised learning assistance, while teachers could use these technologies for lesson preparation and identifying gaps in students’ understanding.
Government institutions also generate enormous quantities of regulations, statistics, judicial documents, administrative records and other public information. AI could make these resources easier to search, organise and analyse while automating some routine administrative functions.
Tax authorities, for example, could potentially use AI systems to identify irregularities and improve communication with taxpayers.
AI Could Help Pakistan Move Towards Higher-Value Exports
The economic implications could be particularly significant. Pakistan has faced persistent challenges in increasing productivity and expanding exports sufficiently to sustain economic growth.
Artificial intelligence offers Pakistani businesses an opportunity to compete internationally through higher-value digital services rather than relying primarily on lower labour costs.
Domestic companies could develop specialised AI applications for sectors including finance, logistics, agriculture, manufacturing and education.
Realising that opportunity, however, requires substantial investment in the foundations of the digital economy.
Pakistan needs dependable electricity supplies, stronger digital connectivity, cloud infrastructure, modern data centres and affordable computing resources. Universities must also establish deeper partnerships with industry, while engineering and computer science programmes need greater emphasis on machine learning, data engineering, AI systems and associated technologies.
The strategic objective should therefore extend beyond becoming a consumer of foreign artificial intelligence. Pakistan has an opportunity to become a developer, adapter and exporter of locally relevant technological solutions.
