Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan National Assembly Speaker Carolina Cerqueira on Tuesday reaffirmed the competence of the Members of the Parliament (MP) for the approval of the regulatory legal framework for the use of information and communication technologies.
The parliamentary leader, who was speaking I Luanda at the opening of the “Workshop on the challenges and opportunities of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Parliaments”, stressed that Parliament has constitutional functions that reserve a special place in the architecture of the State.
In this sense, he highlighted the careful look at strengthening digital defense mechanisms capable of ensuring the integrity of its systems and the protection of its digital heritage.
She said that “it is up to parliaments to ensure that AI is put at the service of the common good, justice and social inclusion, as well as democracy”.
“Instead of fearing Artificial Intelligence, we must understand it, regulate it and shape it to the values we defend as a society, being the mission of the parliaments of the 21st century: To legislate not only for citizens but also for the algorithms of tomorrow”, he urged.
She added that the Digital Parliament is already starting to be a reality in current times.
Accordingly, he stressed that the ability to incorporate AI into parliamentary processes and procedures should be anchored in a vision of commitment to institutional modernisation, the promotion of technical and scientific knowledge, as well as openness to constructive dialogue between politics, technology and society.
She urged the parliamentary administration to continue to be guided by the continuous technical and professional improvement of the National Assembly’s staff, including in the field of Artificial Intelligence.
She recalled that the new Penal Code, approved in Parliament three years ago, already contemplates cybercrime and its penal framework, and for him, it is necessary to continue to adapt and expand the approved legislation to the volatility and dynamics of the information society.
She defended the need to monitor public policies in the sector of new information and communication technologies, always taking into account the need to protect national interests and, in general, and the ethical use of AI, in particular.
“We strive for openness and technological innovation to be done in a sustainable and, above all, responsible way,” she said.
According to the source, it is invaluable for some of the parliamentary functions, serving as an instrument that can play a current and dynamic role, aiming to update the legal framework, ensuring personal data protection, digital security and ethics in its use.
Carolina Cerqueira stated that Artificial Intelligence is neither good nor bad by itself, it all depends on how, by whom and for what it is used.
She added that cyber threats today constitute real risks to the stability of institutions and, in particular, parliaments.
She deplored the fact that cybercrime has reached all sectors of social life, including parliaments, which have been victims of cyberattacks.
The Workshop on the “Challenges and Opportunities of the use of Artificial Intelligence in Parliaments” was promoted by the National Assembly and addressed, among others, topics such as “Contemporary Challenges in Cybersecurity” and “Practical Application of AI in the Parliamentary Context”.
The event was attended by parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, academics, students, as well as national and foreign experts in this field.
It is part of the cycle of activities in greeting the 50th anniversary of national independence, to be marked on November 11, promoted by the AN.
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