Parliament may soon integrate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in all its processes to enhance efficiency and transparency if MPs adopt a report by a parliamentary committee tabled in the House.
The report of the committee on members’ services and facilities has recommended to the House to integrate the use of AI tools in its legislative functions.
“In line with the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Strategic Plan (2019-2030), which envisions the adoption of E-Parliament, the committee recommends that the PSC integrates Artificial Intelligence tools to modernise and streamline parliamentary processes and enhance efficiency, transparency and responsiveness in legislative functions,” reads the report.
Laikipia West MP Stephen Wachira Karani.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The committee, chaired by Laikipia West MP Stephen Wachira, undertook a study visit to the National Assembly of Zambia from November 24th to 30th with an objective to benchmark and gain insights into the systems, practices and approaches adopted by the Parliament of Zambia in providing services and facilities to its members.
The committee noted that the Zambian Parliament has a digital notice board displaying the order paper and the schedule of committee meetings in order to enhance communication, transparency and efficiency in parliamentary proceedings.
In its report, the committee noted that the Zambian National Assembly is exploring the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance its operations, focusing on improving efficiency, transparency and public engagement.
“In that regard, the government of Zambia has finalised a comprehensive AI policy aimed at leveraging modern technologies for the country’s development,” reads the committee report.
“The committee noted Zambia's commitment to leveraging technology by developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to improve parliamentary processes, services, members’ welfare, and strengthen consistent engagement,” reads the committee report.
The committee is responsible for receiving and considering the views of members on the services and facilities provided for their benefit and well-being.
The committee is also mandated to advise and report on all matters connected to the services and facilities provided for members.
Kenya currently has no law or regulations that specifically regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence.
Regulatory framework policies
In June this year, Members of Parliament, through a motion, called on the government to come up with regulatory framework policies to guide the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country.
The lawmakers expressed fear that the current lack of a proper regulatory framework in the country has caused various negative consequences such as rising cases of disinformation and fake news.
While the lawmakers acknowledged that the use of Artificial Intelligence has brought forth positive benefits that have increased efficiency in different sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing and robotics, they said it possesses a greater risk of causing conflict in the country, especially in the spread of fake news.
The MPs also argued that the regulation will protect Kenyans from the potential AI-instigated harms such as privacy breaches, AI-powered fake technology algorithms, algorithmic discrimination, autonomous weapons, job displacement and economic inequality, social manipulation and misinformation, financial market manipulation and privacy invasion.
Artificial Intelligence is the use of a digital computer or computer-controlled robots to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings.
In a motion by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany, the lawmakers noted that despite its benefits in simplifying work as a form of technology, it also poses a great risk if it operates in a space without regulatory policies.
Aldai MP Marianne Kitany.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
“Government, through the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, should formulate a regulatory framework and ethical guidelines for implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country to control its potential misuse,” reads the motion.
In addition, the lawmakers also want the government to develop and execute a public awareness programme on Artificial Intelligence to raise understanding of AI, foster transparency and promote responsible use of the technology for the benefit of all.
