Lok Sabha Speaker Calls for Ethical AI, Digital Inclusion Across Commonwealth Democracies

Om Birla Chairs Workshop at 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Barbados

Barbados, October 10: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday urged parliamentarians from Commonwealth nations to promote the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while ensuring that technology bridges — rather than widens — the digital divide. He was addressing a workshop on ‘Leveraging Technology: Enhancing Democracy through Digital Transformations and Tackling the Digital Divide’ at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference in Barbados.

“Through cooperation and knowledge-sharing, we can ensure that technology becomes a bridge, not a barrier,” Birla said, calling for shared global standards in deploying AI in governance.

Highlighting India’s technological transformation in legislative functioning, Birla said that AI-based digital systems are making parliamentary processes more efficient, transparent, and inclusive.
He cited the adoption of AI-enabled translation tools, e-libraries, and speech-to-text reporting systems as key examples.

“In the near future, real-time AI translation systems like Sansad Bhashini will allow every Member of Parliament to communicate in their own language — a new height for democracy in a diverse country like India,” he said.

Birla emphasised that democracy is strongest when citizens are deeply engaged with their Parliament, and digital transformation is making this engagement more direct and participatory.

He described the journey from traditional Parliament to e-Parliament as “phenomenal in its reach, functioning, and responsiveness.”

Digital Sansad and AI for Good

Under the Digital Sansad initiative, India’s Parliament has created an integrated digital ecosystem connecting Members of Parliament, ministries, and citizens on a single platform.

Birla said this ecosystem aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of digital empowerment through an open, inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure that now serves 1.4 billion citizens.

He also highlighted India’s AI Mission—‘AI for All’ and ‘AI for Good’— which reflects the government’s focus on using technology for citizen empowerment and transparent governance.

“AI, for us, is not just a technological leap; it’s a moral commitment to inclusion and empowerment,” Birla said.

India’s Digital Revolution

Birla pointed out that India is now the second-largest 5G market in the world and is already advancing toward 6G. He noted that UPI (Unified Payments Interface) has transformed digital payments into a mass movement, setting a global benchmark for inclusion and ease of access.

He also mentioned that the government is providing free AI training to one million citizens, ensuring equitable access to digital skills and expanding innovation at the grassroots.

“These initiatives have made digital connectivity affordable, inclusive, and people-centric,” he said, adding that India’s model can guide other Commonwealth democracies in building ethical, transparent, and inclusive digital ecosystems.