Ankara/New Delhi, 14 September (H.S.): South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on BRICS countries to establish an international mechanism for the independent scientific assessment and oversight of artificial intelligence (AI). He warned that the technological capabilities of AI should not advance beyond humanity’s ability to understand, monitor and control it.

According to Türkiye’s state-run Anadolu Agency and local media reports, Ramaphosa made the remarks while addressing the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. He said AI could usher in a new era of productivity and human progress, while also expressing concern over the potential risks posed by increasingly powerful AI systems.

Ramaphosa said that when developed and deployed responsibly, AI could help reduce inequality, poverty and underdevelopment. He added that the technology could bring significant advances in healthcare, education, scientific research and agricultural productivity.

However, the South African President also highlighted several potential dangers associated with advanced AI systems. These include sophisticated cyber operations, assistance in the development of biological weapons, autonomous actions, manipulation, mass surveillance and disruptions to employment.

“We should neither fear AI nor adopt it recklessly,” Ramaphosa said, stressing that the responsibility lies in ensuring that human governance advances as rapidly as AI itself.

The South African President also emphasised the need for independent external oversight of AI companies and endorsed views expressed by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on the issue. He said AI companies should be subject to formal external scrutiny, independent audits and government oversight.

Drawing comparisons with aviation, pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy and the financial sector, Ramaphosa noted that regulatory supervision is already a standard practice in industries with significant implications for human safety and well-being.

He proposed that BRICS countries establish an international mechanism for the independent scientific assessment of AI systems. According to Ramaphosa, such a framework should include clear principles for maintaining human control and mandatory reporting of serious AI-related incidents.

Ramaphosa also called for greater investment to strengthen sovereign AI capabilities in developing countries. He stressed that safety measures must be strengthened alongside the expanding capabilities of AI.

The South African President welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s proposal to establish an AI ecosystem within BRICS and said South Africa supports the initiative.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar