by Linda Straker
- Technology use for parliamentarians among outcomes of 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference
- Westminster Foundation for Democracy states parliaments can use AI to transcribe and translate, manage records of debates, and subtitle video content
- Lower House members will be encouraged to use AI tools after they receive necessary training
House Speaker Leo Cato has informed members of the Lower House of Parliament that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will be introduced for use in the House in 2025. Members will be encouraged to use the tools after they receive the necessary training.
“I wish to inform this parliament for the year 2025 we are encouraging the use of Artificial Intelligence among parliamentarians, and we will be procuring the tools that allow our parliamentarians to use Artificial Intelligence, and we will do some training with respect to AI,” Cato told members during the 26 November sitting.
He did not elaborate on the type of AI initiative but informed members that technology use for parliamentarians was among the outcomes of the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) held in Australia from 3–8 November 2024, which Cato attended on behalf of the Grenada Parliament.
“There were some major conclusions taken at that conference; I will just read a few of the conclusions,” he told members as he read 3 conclusions from a prepared document.
He said that participants concluded that parliaments in the Commonwealth should proactively explore all the necessary measures and support systems to allow parliamentarians to undertake their term in office. The second outcome was, “Parliament should continue to adapt and innovate to strengthen their governance system while ensuring their efforts, respect and engage with tradition and local context.” The third outcome was, “The commonwealth parliaments should commit to integrate technological solutions to allow for inclusive participation in the electoral process and for all persons even those living with disabilities.”
The conference theme was “Engage, Empower, Sustain: Charting The Course For Resilient Democracy” and, according to the conference website, delegates participated in 8 learning and development workshops.
“The workshops provided a space for delegates to share their experiences as parliamentarians and discuss issues including the use of Artificial Intelligence and technology; the security of MPs; ending human trafficking; combatting discrimination legislation; supporting LGBT+ and people with disabilities to participate in parliaments and engaging with Indigenous peoples,” said the concluding statement.
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy states that parliaments can use AI to transcribe and translate, manage records of debates, and subtitle video content.
So what is this supposed to do when it comes to solving our problems in parliament and on our island, which he seems to have no clue?
Or maybe this is just the new buzz word that will cost us resources that cannot be justified?