Sberbank executive reveals expansion plans for AI Alliance Network as global south seeks greater voice in artificial intelligence governance and development
MOSCOW – Russia is positioning itself as a bridge between emerging economies in the global artificial intelligence landscape, with plans to expand the BRICS AI Alliance Network to include Arab nations and shape international standards that reflect diverse global interests.
In an exclusive interview, Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of Sberbank’s Executive Board, detailed Russia’s ambitious roadmap for international AI cooperation, emphasizing the strategic importance of Arab world participation in the technology’s development.
Building a Global AI Coalition
The BRICS AI Alliance Network, currently chaired by Russia, has grown to include 17 industry associations spanning 14 countries with more than 7,000 partners. The network is now actively courting participation from Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Qatar.
“Arab states bring crucial perspectives to AI development,” Vedyakhin explained. “Their unique cultural context, linguistic diversity, and substantial investment capabilities are essential for creating truly global AI solutions.”
The expansion initiative comes as the alliance conducts its Global AI Horizons research project involving over 200 scientists from 25 countries, aimed at identifying promising AI research directions.
Creating Shared Frameworks
The collaborative effort focuses on three key pillars: developing shared regulatory standards, creating implementation platforms, and fostering research cooperation.
A centerpiece initiative is the upcoming BRICS+ AI Success Hub, being developed with UNIDO, which will serve as a repository for proven AI implementation cases across member nations. Additionally, the alliance is working to harmonize AI regulations and ethical standards across participating countries.
“We advocate for collective efforts to establish effective AI standards that ensure safety and rights protection for all, regardless of geography,” Vedyakhin stated, referencing Russia’s position at the recent World Artificial Intelligence Conference in China.
From Research to Real-World Applications
The alliance has conducted nine foresight sessions across multiple countries including the UAE, Morocco, and China, examining critical AI challenges from general artificial intelligence (AGI) development to AI safety and explainability.
Russian technologies, including Sber’s GigaChat which processes Arabic queries, are being adapted for BRICS markets through localization and partnership strategies. Vedyakhin emphasized that successful implementation requires accommodating linguistic, cultural, and legal specificities of each market.
The upcoming AI Journey 2025 conference in Moscow will showcase these international collaborations and present a comprehensive report on the alliance’s findings, with free online access available in both English and Arabic.
