Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, Dec. 11, that Russia would develop artificial intelligence with BRICS partners and other countries. He claimed this was a bid to challenge the dominance of the United States in one of the most disruptive technologies of the 21st Century.’

Putin said the new AI Alliance Network would include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, or BRICS countries, along with other interested countries.

Russia faces challenges in AI due to Western sanctions restricting access to microchips, a crucial component for the technology.