Parliamentarians exchange experiences on current legislative practices in the governance of artificial intelligence
The ParlAmericas Digital Caucus, launched in June 2023 as a working group linked to the ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network, met for a virtual dialogue on Current Legislative Experiences in the Governance of Artificial Intelligence. Today’s meeting was the first in a planned series of dialogue sessions to facilitate exchanges between parliamentarians from across the Americas and the Caribbean on topics related to artificial intelligence.
The session began with opening remarks provided by the Honourable Bridgid Annisette-George (Trinidad and Tobago), Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament and Vice-President of ParlAmericas. This was followed by a panel discussion highlighting specific cases of regulatory frameworks related to the governance of artificial intelligence, their legislative scope and implementation. Panelists included Senator Kenneth Pugh (Chile), Co-chair of the Digital Caucus of ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network; Member of Parliament Francesco Sorbara (Canada); and Member of the European Parliament Brando Benifei (Italy), Co-rapporteur of the Artificial Intelligence Act. The panel was moderated by the Honourable Representative Catherine Juvinao (Colombia), Vice-President for South America of the ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network, and Natalí Casanova-Burkholder, Project Manager for Open Parliament at the ParlAmericas International Secretariat, and focused on ways in which regulatory measures can promote ethical applications of AI that minimize gender and other biases without stifling innovation.
Parliamentarians in attendance were also invited to share their own national experiences and questions related to the governance of artificial intelligence, which included interventions from Member of the Chamber of Deputies Pedro Campos (Brazil), Member of the Chamber of Deputies María Eugenia Hernández (Mexico), Congresswoman Karol Paredes (Peru), Member of the Chamber of Representatives Rodrigo Goñi (Uruguay), and Member of the European Parliament Ibán García del Blanco (Spain). Closing remarks were then provided by His Honour Reginald Farley (Barbados), President of the Senate and Vice-President for the Caribbean of the ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network.
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Senator Kenneth Pugh (Chile), Co-chair of the Digital Caucus of ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network
“Through the establishment of the Digital Caucus, we now have a dedicated space to discuss how our region is being affected by digital transformations, including the increased use of artificial intelligence. Today’s session reaffirmed the value of this space as a community of practice where we can exchange legislative good practices and identify how to address common challenges to digital governance.”
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The Honourable Bridgid Annisette-George (Trinidad and Tobago), Speaker of the House of Representatives and Vice-President of ParlAmericas
“The future of artificial intelligence, its implications on society and the subsequent need for regulatory development and careful management remains a topic of concern for parliamentarians and the citizens we represent. Consequently, it is important that we take a proactive approach towards reducing established and emerging security risks while also maximizing the developmental opportunities for our countries.”
