Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla has urged the parliamentarians from Commonwealth nations to promote responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while bridging the digital divide through use of technology. Chairing a workshop on the topic ‘Leveraging Technology: Enhancing Democracy through Digital Transformations and Tackling the Digital Divide’ at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference in Barbados, Shri Birla said that through cooperation and knowledge-sharing, it can be ensured that technology becomes a bridge, not a barrier.

In his address, he highlighted that technological progress and application of e-Parliament has brought about major transformative shifts in how our parliamentary democracy functions. He stressed that E-Parliament is playing immense role in promoting E-Democracy, in turn, promoting greater citizen engagement.  

Shri Birla highlighted that AI-based digital systems are making India’s parliamentary processes more efficient and inclusive. He informed the delegates that systems like AI-based translation, AI-enabled e-Library, and speech-to-text reporting are making parliamentary processes more efficient and inclusive. Speaking about upcoming digital initiatives, Shri Birla said that soon, 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 stated that democracy is at its strongest when citizens are deeply engaged with their Parliament. He emphasized that technology plays a vital role in strengthening this connection.  In this context, he outlined that the journey of Indian Parliament from traditional parliamentary system to E-Parliament has been quite phenomenal in terms of its reach, functioning and responsiveness to the aspirations of the people.  He emphasized that this shift signifies a major advancement in democratic governance, harnessing the potential of technology to strengthen legislative processes and foster deeper citizen participation. 

Shri Birla mentioned about various Digital Innovations undertaken in the Parliament of India. He said that under the “Digital Sansad” initiative, the Parliament of India has developed an integrated digital ecosystem which connects Members of Parliament, Ministries, and citizens through a single digital platform.

Shri Birla noted that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has achieved world-class milestones in the digital sector. He added that a low-cost and open Digital Public Infrastructure has been developed for 1.4 billion citizens, transforming both governance and the economy.

Speaking about India’s “AI Mission” — AI for All and AI for Good — he said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visionary approach, viewing AI not merely as a technological advancement, but as a powerful tool for citizen empowerment and transparent governance. Outlining the rapid growth in India’s digital infrastructure, he said that with rapid deployment of 5G, India has become the second-largest 5G market in the world, and active efforts are underway on 6G as well.

Speaking about India’s digital payments revolution, Shri mentioned said that the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has turned digital payments into a mass movement. Additionally, the government is providing free AI training to 1 million citizens, promoting AI awareness and innovation at the grassroots level. He added that these initiatives have made digital connectivity affordable, inclusive, and people-centric.

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AM