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Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Raman Singh on Thursday described the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) being held in the national capital as a significant opportunity for India to showcase its growth to other participating nations.
Speaking to the media at the event, Singh said, "This is a major opportunity for the other countries to witness how we are moving ahead using the constitution of the country." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), 2026, at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. Among the major topics for discussion are 'AI in Parliament: Balancing Innovation, Oversight and Adaptation', to be led by Malaysia; 'Social Media and its Impact on Parliamentarians', to be presented by Sri Lanka; and 'Innovative Strategies to Enhance Public Understanding of Parliament and Citizen Participation Beyond Voting', with contributions from Nigeria and South Africa. Other sessions will focus on the security, health and well-being of Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff, as well as a special plenary discussion on the role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in maintaining strong democratic institutions. The high-level conference, chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, featuring 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 Commonwealth countries, along with representatives from four semi-autonomous parliaments, underscored the event's global scale and significance. Birla addressed the conference, saying that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media have enhanced the efficiency of democratic institutions but have also created serious challenges, including misinformation, violence, crime, and social polarisation. Calling ethical AI and accountable social media the "need of the hour," Birla urged balanced policy responses to prevent misuse while harnessing technology for democratic good. He expressed confidence that the conference would produce concrete policy recommendations and a clear roadmap for the responsible use of AI and social media in legislatures. The Speaker said the use of AI is steadily increasing in India's Parliament and State Legislatures, with legislative work moving towards paperless processes. (ANI)
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