China-backed AI cooperation can boost innovation across Global South

China's growing emphasis on international cooperation in open-source artificial intelligence (AI) could help other developing economies strengthen technological capabilities, develop locally relevant applications and create new opportunities for innovation and economic growth, according to experts. The prospects for wider cooperation have gained attention following China's proposal at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi in September to establish an AI open-source community, promote joint development and application of large language models, and support specialised training among participating countries. Shadab's maiden ODI century sends Pakistan into Tri-series final The issue is expected to receive further attention at the 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, scheduled for November 2-5 in China's Zhejiang province. Organisers have identified open-source AI and international cooperation on AI development and governance as major themes, including discussions on building a global open-source AI ecosystem and improving interoperability among AI systems. These initiatives highlight opportunities for developing economies to move beyond dependence on imported AI technologies and participate more actively in adapting, developing and commercialising solutions suited to their domestic economic needs. Mikayil stars as Robson lift LSC Polo in Pink title Dr Uzair Khaleeq uz Zaman, Head of Policy for Science, Technology and Innovation at the Centre of Excellence for CPEC, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, told Wealth Pakistan that open-source AI could lower technological entry barriers for developing economies. 'Open-source AI offers developing economies like Pakistan an opportunity to move from technological dependence towards indigenous innovation,' he said. Zaman explained that developing countries did not necessarily need to invest heavily in building foundational AI models from scratch. Instead, researchers, start-ups and industries could adapt existing models to local languages and develop applications for agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and other sectors. ITF J-30 Lahore Ali Embroidery Mills Junior Tennis commences today However, he cautioned that access to open-source models alone would not automatically translate into technological advancement or economic benefits. 'The real opportunity lies in building the domestic capacity to customise, deploy and commercialise AI solutions. We must move from simply consuming AI technologies to creating economic value through them,' he said. He identified four essential requirements for developing countries seeking to benefit from open-source AI cooperation: affordable computing infrastructure, reliable and locally relevant datasets, a skilled AI workforce, and stronger linkages between industry and academic research institutions. DG PSB honours Rizwan Aftab for contributions to sports development For countries across the Global South, these capabilities could determine whether greater access to AI technologies leads to domestic innovation or continued reliance on external technology providers. China's proposed BRICS AI open-source community could provide an additional platform for technical exchanges, joint research and capacity building, potentially allowing participating economies to share expertise and develop applications addressing common development challenges. The initiative also reflects a wider international debate over making AI development more inclusive and reducing the concentration of technological capabilities among a limited number of advanced economies and major technology companies. WAPDA win National Athletics C'ship; Navy finish second Grace X. Yang, a PhD candidate at Freie Universität Berlin and former Research Assistant at the Internet & Communication Policy Center (ICPC), whose research focuses on cyber sovereignty and global cyber governance, told Wealth Pakistan that the opportunities arising from wider open-source cooperation currently outweighed concerns over technological dependence for developing economies. Yang said such cooperation offered both China and participating countries an opportunity to influence the development of AI technologies and international standards. She argued that broader participation could help distribute AI innovation more widely rather than leaving its development concentrated in a small number of technology companies and established innovation centres such as Silicon Valley. For Pakistan, the expanding international focus on open-source AI comes as the country seeks to strengthen its domestic technological capabilities. Pakistan's National Artificial Intelligence Policy, approved in 2025, provides a framework for improving access to computing and data infrastructure, developing AI skills and encouraging engagement with open-AI platforms. Among its targets, the policy envisages contributing 50 new AI models annually to open platforms, reflecting an ambition to participate in AI development rather than remain solely a consumer of foreign technologies. Zaman said the main challenge was translating these policy objectives into practical applications that could improve productivity and create economic value, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, energy and small and medium enterprises. He noted that cooperation with China and other international partners could accelerate progress through technology transfer, joint research and capacity building. However, he emphasised that the objective should extend beyond gaining access to foreign AI ecosystems towards developing 'a sustainable, competitive and increasingly self-reliant domestic AI ecosystem'. The broader significance of China's open-source AI cooperation proposals lies in their potential to widen participation in technological development and provide emerging economies with opportunities to build solutions around their own economic priorities. For Pakistan and other developing countries, the benefits will ultimately depend on their ability to combine international cooperation with domestic investment in computing infrastructure, skilled professionals, relevant datasets and industry-driven innovation.