Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Inter-Parliamentary Union Chairperson Tulia Ackson greet as they arrive for the inauguration of the 28th Commonwealth Conference of Presidents and Presiding Officers at Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi on January 15, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday (January 16, 2026) said artificial intelligence (AI) and social media have increased the efficiency and effectiveness of democratic institutions.
But Mr. Birla noted that rapid technological transformations were reshaping societies and governance, warning that their misuse also raised serious concerns such as disinformation, cybercrime and social polarization.
He was speaking at the 28th Conference of Commonwealth Presidents and Presiding Officers at the historic Samvidhan Sadan Central Hall (Old Parliament House) in New Delhi.
The Speaker also stated that it is the collective responsibility of the legislatures to seriously address these challenges and develop appropriate solutions.
He highlighted the growing importance of ethical artificial intelligence and trustworthy, transparent and accountable social media frameworks in protecting democratic values.
Mr. Birla said that the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in Parliament and state legislatures in India is growing steadily.
Legislative institutions are gradually going paperless and integrated through a single digital platform, setting new benchmarks in terms of transparency, efficiency and accessibility, the spokesperson added.
He said that over seven decades of India’s parliamentary journey, democracy has been strengthened through people-centric policies and welfare-oriented legislation.
The collective efforts of the Parliament and the Government have ensured the repeal of several (over 1,500 so far) unwanted and outdated laws and the enactment of new welfare-oriented legislation, Mr. Birla said, adding that the enactment of such laws and policies is helping India become a self-reliant and developed country.
Published – 15 Jan 2026 19:31 IST
