Using generative AI in parliaments

Generative AI (GenAI) has emerged since late 2022 as a new way to create content. It promises productivity gains and, perhaps, transformational change. Further rapid developments in GenAI are to be expected. 

As the technology matures, there are likely to be many use cases in parliaments. A step-by-step, risk-based approach will be appropriate for most parliaments. 

Based on current parliamentary practice and research by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament, parliaments are encouraged to begin experimenting with GenAI, for example, to save time with tasks such as producing summaries of texts and creating records of parliamentary debates. Such experiments should be carried out in a safe “lab environment” before being rolled out more widely.

However, parliaments need to be extremely cautious about introducing GenAI in core legislative systems at this stage. High levels of confidence in the technology and strong governance processes are needed before such a step is considered.