BRICS Advances AI Data Rules While De-Dollarization Stalls

BRICS nations have prioritized AI governance in their latest summit, releasing draft regulations demanding protection against unauthorized data scraping and fair compensation for content used in AI training. The MOVE targets US and European tech firms mining global data with minimal oversight.

Behind the digital agenda lies unresolved ambitions. A decade-long effort to create a dollar-alternative payment system among BRICS members remains in limbo. Despite recommitting to the BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative, the bloc made no substantive progress during the Brazil summit.

The timing is notable. As the US dollar suffers its worst Q1 performance since 1973—weakened by trade wars and Fed pressure—BRICS appears unable to capitalize on dollar vulnerability. Finance ministers were tasked with further discussions, but no deadlines emerged for the proposed payment network.