How is Om Birla Advocating for IT and AI in Democracy?

Bengaluru, Sep 12 (NationPress) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasized that leveraging Information Technology (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within our democratic institutions brings us closer to the citizens.

This statement holds particular relevance as the Karnataka state government plans to revert to ballot papers instead of EVMs for local body elections.

Birla made these remarks during his inaugural address at the 11th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association India Regional Conference held at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Thursday.

He articulated, "In this digital era, as we increasingly adopt IT and AI, the greater our integration of these technologies into our systems, the nearer we get to the populace. Our institutions must actively engage with the people. Numerous parliamentary committees assist us in voicing the concerns of ordinary citizens. Thus, it is imperative to incorporate technology into these institutions."

"In this context, I want to highlight our efforts. Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modiji, mentioned at the convention of Presidents of Vidhana Mandals that state Assemblies and Parliament should unify on a single platform. Through a digital Parliament, we have endeavored to consolidate all proceedings from state Assemblies and the central Parliament onto one platform, facilitating debates and interactions with the public," he added.

He noted that since independence, Karnataka has made significant contributions to the evolution of democracy, representing both heritage and technology, and has emerged as a hub of national progress. The conference aims to explore methods to bolster public trust in democracy, democratic institutions, and the democratic process.

Birla reflected, "During the formation of the Constitution post-Independence, there were varied opinions and debates within the Constituent Assembly. Despite these differences, we successfully crafted the Constitution, which enshrines the democratic legacy of our nation."

He expressed gratitude to Dr B.R. Ambedkar and others who contributed to the Constitution's formation. "We take pride in India being the world's largest democracy, equipped with a vibrant and enduring Constitution that continues to guide us. Thanks to the founding fathers, we stand united as a strong nation despite our diverse languages, geographies, and ideologies," he said.

"It is our duty to fortify the foundations of our democracy. Divergent opinions are integral to our democratic heritage. We remain united, even amidst differing views within Parliament and legislative bodies, especially on national matters," he continued.

Birla asserted that enhancing public trust in democratic institutions is crucial, and transparency in governance must be ensured. The citizens bear this responsibility, as the strength of Indian democracy lies in the representation of common voices within the Lok Sabha and Vidhana Sabhas. Our goal is to facilitate discussions on pressing issues affecting both the state and the nation.

"It is incumbent upon all political parties to uphold the dignity and respect of democratic institutions. Representatives of the populace must transform these platforms into centers for dialogue. Politics should not hinder legislative sessions; however, it has become concerning that discussions are frequently disrupted," he remarked.

"We are committed to ensuring that democratic institutions become genuine centers for discussion. Our responsibility is immense. Over time, we have fortified democracy, which has grown so robust that people worldwide have started to rely on democratic principles," he added.

"In this digital age, we find ourselves in Bengaluru, a global tech hub. Indian youth are excelling internationally due to their intellect, technical skills, and scientific prowess, with Karnataka's Bengaluru playing a pivotal role in this. Whenever I interact with tech experts abroad, many have launched their careers in Bengaluru," he concluded.