Geneva: Speaker Devraj Ghimire emphasized that the power of the parliament is significantly reliant on digital access and public trust. This statement was made during the ‘Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments,’ organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland. The event is taking place from July 29-31.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Ghimire addressed the conference on the topic ‘What will be the role of parliamentarians in shaping our digital future?’ He highlighted that the current strength of the parliament is not solely based on traditional methods but increasingly depends on digital access and the trust of the public. Ghimire underscored the necessity for increased investment in technology, particularly in areas such as digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, internet literacy, and data protection.
Ghimire argued for the development of parliament as a leading institution, urging against lagging in the digital transformation era. He noted that parliamentarians effectively engage with citizens through social networking sites and digital media, allowing them to incorporate public feedback into policy-making.
He also pointed out the rising challenge of technology misuse for spreading misinformation and propaganda. He stated that parliaments have a duty to promote digital literacy alongside technological usage to counter these issues. Ghimire expressed optimism that technologies like machine learning, data centers, digitization, and speech-to-text technology could enhance parliament’s efficiency and strengthen its connection with the public.
The Speaker revealed that a study is underway regarding the use of artificial intelligence in legislative management within Nepal’s federal parliament. He mentioned ongoing work on artificial intelligence and social media bills in the country. He further noted that digital technology offers vital opportunities to improve transparency, efficiency, and public participation in parliamentary functions.
Technologies such as online broadcasting, e-parliament systems, digital records, and electronic voting systems have been instrumental in enhancing parliamentary operations’ effectiveness.