Governing Artificial Intelligence: Comparing AI Regulation among BRICS

The article examines AI regulation in BRICS countries through a typology of AI regulatory governance and a BRICS AI Readiness Index. Based on these analytical tools, the article assesses ethical, economic, governance, and temporal factors that influence the regulatory readiness of the five BRICS. This index mainly draws from a qualitative assessment of national legislation and AI national strategies. Based on this index, the article finds China the most prepared of the BRICS to regulate AI deployment, while Brazil, India, and South Africa show promises but face challenges in developing regulations. Russia appears in the Index as a clear laggard in the adoption of an AI regulatory framework. The article highlights ethical trade-offs, the complex relationship between public trust and regime type, and the relevance of temporal parameters to regulating AI. It calls for tailored policies to strengthen AI governance across BRICS countries.