BRICS education agenda eyes AI, space tech to reshape future job skills

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a computer science subject. In 2025, education ministers of BRICS countries issued a joint declaration on the use of AI in education, AI literacy and its responsible use. It said AI could improve learning outcomes, make education more personalised and reduce gaps in education, while also flagging challenges such as data privacy, algorithmic bias and ethical use.

Computer science and information security are already considered key subject areas in BRICS higher education cooperation. The BRICS Network University is being used to promote joint programmes, research and academic collaboration in these fields. This suggests that skills such as data science, cloud computing, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure could become important for both study and employment in the coming years.

BRICS countries have also made technical and vocational education and training a major part of their academic cooperation. At the BRICS-TCA meeting held in 2026 under India's chairmanship, discussions covered the workforce linked to the digital and green transition. India also put forward proposals such as a BRICS International Skill Gap Study and a BRICS Skills Competition.

Future skills are not limited to AI alone. Discussions are already underway within BRICS TVET cooperation to include next-generation skills such as the Internet of Things, smart cities, smart healthcare, drone technology, blockchain and artificial intelligence. This could increase the role of practical courses and industry-oriented training linked to these areas in engineering and vocational education.

Space is also a rapidly advancing area of BRICS cooperation. In June 2026, a meeting of BRICS Heads of Space Agencies was held in Bengaluru, where member countries discussed remote sensing satellite constellations and space sustainability. This is driving greater cooperation on research and skills in areas such as space science, satellite technology, remote sensing, earth observation and space data.

Climate change and sustainable development are also part of the BRICS education agenda. Priority areas of the BRICS Network University include environmental science and climate change, energy, water resources and pollution control. This means demand could grow for interdisciplinary skills linked to renewable energy, climate technology, water management and environmental data.

The BRICS Network University aims to promote joint research, academic mobility and new academic programmes among higher education institutions of member countries. Work was also done in 2026 to further strengthen this network. At a meeting held in India in July 2026, a proposal emerged to make traditional and indigenous knowledge systems a new subject area.

The BRICS education agenda suggests that a traditional degree alone may not be enough in the coming years. Knowledge and practical skills in areas such as AI, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, IoT, drones, space technology, green technology and digital skills could become more important for students. Notably, BRICS countries are trying to link these skills not just to higher education but also to technical and vocational training.