AI for Democracy_ Reimagining Governance in the Age of Intelligence

20 Feb 2026 10:00h - 11:00h

Session at a glance

Summary

This discussion centered on the intersection of artificial intelligence and democracy, held at an AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, India. The session, titled “AI for Democracy: Reimagining Governance in the Age of Intelligence,” brought together international parliamentary leaders and experts to examine how AI can serve democratic institutions rather than undermine them.

The speakers emphasized that AI presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant risks for democratic governance. Jimena Sofia-Veverosi from Mexico stressed the need for global governance of AI through binding agreements and measurable standards rather than voluntary commitments. She argued that democratizing AI technology requires inclusive participation and clearly defined guardrails to prevent the concentration of power in few companies and countries.

Dr. Chinmay Pandya highlighted the fundamental tension between democracy’s human-centered principles of participation, transparency, and equality, and AI’s data-driven automation and optimization. He warned that while AI can improve government service delivery and reduce corruption, it also has the capacity to amplify misinformation, deepen polarization, and manipulate public opinion, as evidenced by Romania’s cancelled presidential elections due to AI interference.

Deputy Speaker Lazos Olahaji of Hungary presented a stark warning about AI’s unprecedented nature, noting that for the first time in human history, humanity faces a technology whose inner workings are largely incomprehensible to most people, including politicians. He outlined a worst-case scenario where AI functions well but without democratic oversight, leading to gradual erosion of democratic systems where citizens lose the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Martin Chunggong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, emphasized that AI governance is fundamentally about the future distribution of power and accountability. He stressed that parliaments must play a central role in AI governance, as they connect policy-making to lived experiences and represent the people’s values in technological decisions.

Indian Parliament Speaker Om Birla showcased India’s practical initiatives in integrating AI with democratic institutions, including digitizing parliamentary proceedings and creating searchable databases of legislative debates. He emphasized India’s unique position as the world’s largest democracy with diverse languages and cultures, making it an ideal testing ground for inclusive AI governance.

The discussion concluded that successful AI governance requires collective intelligence from technologists, policymakers, and civil society, with democracy serving as a guiding framework for AI development rather than being automated by it.

Keypoints

Major Discussion Points:

– AI’s Democratic Promise vs. Peril: The fundamental tension between AI’s potential to strengthen democratic institutions through improved governance, transparency, and citizen participation versus its risks of eroding democracy through misinformation, manipulation, and power concentration in the hands of few tech companies.

– Need for Multi-Level AI Governance: The requirement for comprehensive governance frameworks operating at four levels – public institutional governance (laws and regulatory bodies), technological governance (whose values are encoded in AI), civic governance (digital literacy matching digital power), and global governance (since AI transcends national borders).

– Democratic Accountability in AI Systems: The critical importance of ensuring that AI systems remain subject to democratic oversight, transparency, and human accountability rather than becoming “black boxes” that make decisions without public understanding or input, particularly in areas affecting public services and electoral processes.

– International Cooperation and Inclusive Participation: The necessity for global collaboration in AI governance that includes voices from the Global South and ensures that AI benefits are shared equitably rather than concentrated among a few nations and corporations.

– Practical Implementation in Democratic Institutions: Concrete examples of how parliaments and legislative bodies can integrate AI technology while maintaining democratic principles, including India’s digitization of parliamentary proceedings and the use of AI for better citizen engagement and policy-making.

Overall Purpose:

The discussion aimed to explore how artificial intelligence can serve democracy rather than undermine it, bringing together international parliamentary leaders, technology experts, and spiritual leaders to develop frameworks for ethical AI governance that strengthens democratic institutions while addressing the risks of technological disruption to democratic processes.

Overall Tone:

The discussion maintained a consistently thoughtful and cautiously optimistic tone throughout. Speakers acknowledged serious concerns about AI’s potential threats to democracy while emphasizing collaborative solutions and the positive potential of technology when properly governed. The tone was formal yet inclusive, reflecting the international diplomatic nature of the gathering, with cultural and spiritual elements woven throughout that emphasized unity, human values, and collective responsibility. There was no significant shift in tone, as all speakers maintained a balanced perspective between recognizing challenges and promoting constructive action.

Speakers

Speakers from the provided list:

– Speaker 1: Event moderator/host – responsible for introductions, transitions, and managing the flow of the discussion

– Jimena Sofia-Veverosi: President, Human AI Foundation, Mexico – expertise in AI governance and global south perspectives on artificial intelligence

– Dr. Chinmay Pandya: Chair and host from All World Gayatri Parivaar, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya – expertise in spirituality, education, and AI integration with democratic values

– Mr. Lazos Olahaji: Deputy Speaker, Parliament of Hungary – expertise in parliamentary governance and AI’s impact on democratic institutions

– Martin Chunggong: Secretary General, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) – expertise in international parliamentary cooperation and AI governance

– Om Birla: Speaker of Parliament of India (Lok Sabha) – expertise in parliamentary procedures and democratic governance in India

– Lord Rawal: Member of House of Lords, devout member of Gayatri Parivar – expertise in British parliamentary system and spiritual values

– Dr. Fadi Dao: Chairman of Globe Ethics – expertise in ethics and AI governance, based in Geneva

Additional speakers:

None – all speakers mentioned in the transcript were included in the provided speakers names list.

Full session report

This comprehensive discussion on the intersection of artificial intelligence and democracy took place as part of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, India, co-hosted by the Gayatri Parivar organization and Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. The session, titled “AI for Democracy: Reimagining Governance in the Age of Intelligence,” brought together international parliamentary leaders, technology experts, and spiritual leaders to examine how AI can serve democratic institutions rather than undermine them. The summit featured representatives from over 100 countries and represented a significant moment in global AI governance discourse, particularly as it was hosted by the world’s largest democracy and featured prominent voices from the Global South.

Event Context and Opening Framework

Dr. Chinmay Pandya, representing the host organizations, opened the discussion by establishing the fundamental tension between AI and democratic systems. He noted that democracy is built on human-centered principles of participation, honesty, equality, trust, and transparency, while AI operates on different principles of data, automation, and optimization. This creates uncertainty about outcomes when these systems intersect, with results depending entirely on who designs, deploys, and governs AI systems.

Dr. Pandya outlined both the promise and risks that AI presents to democratic renewal. On the positive side, AI offers potential to improve government service delivery, reduce corruption, and help civil servants navigate complexities beyond human capacity. However, he warned of AI’s capacity to amplify misinformation, deepen polarization, and manipulate public opinion. He referenced recent events, including situations where AI interference has affected electoral processes, demonstrating that these concerns have moved from speculation to reality.

Hungary’s Perspective: Unprecedented Historical Challenges

Deputy Speaker Lazos Olahaji of Hungary provided a striking analysis of AI’s unique position in human history through a series of “for the first time” observations. He emphasized that for the first time in human history, politicians themselves, including himself, do not understand the inner workings of the technology they must govern. This creates what he described as a “black box” problem where the vast majority of the population, including those responsible for governance, cannot comprehend AI’s internal processes.

Olahaji’s most profound concern centered on the erosion of truth itself rather than merely the spread of misinformation. He warned that the gravest outcome would not be citizens believing deepfakes, but rather believing nothing at all. In his analysis, elections could transform from democratic contests into psychological experiments, with political campaigns becoming exercises in individual manipulation rather than policy debate.

He predicted a gradual erosion of democratic systems rather than sudden collapse, where elections remain technically functional but lose their fundamental meaning. Accountability would gradually vanish as there would be no clear responsible actors, no effective legal remedies, and no opportunity for institutional learning—conditions under which democracy cannot function.

Mexico’s Call for Global Governance

Jimena Sofia-Veverosi, President of the Human AI Foundation in Mexico, brought a Global South perspective that challenged the current voluntary approach to AI governance. She argued for moving beyond voluntary commitments to binding international agreements, emphasizing that global governance of AI serves as a precursor to democratic development and requires inclusive participation with measurable standards rather than mere principles and guidelines.

Sofia-Veverosi highlighted the concentration of AI development and control in very few companies and countries, calling for clearly defined guardrails and red lines. Her perspective reflected growing concerns about the democratic implications of this concentration, particularly as it affects countries in the Global South that have significant stakes in AI’s development but limited influence over its direction.

Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Global Assessment

Martin Chunggong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, provided concrete evidence of AI’s current impact on democratic processes worldwide. He noted that AI-generated content already features in election campaigns across multiple continents, while deepfakes disproportionately target women political actors. He cited an example of Amsterdam’s automated traffic management system that inadvertently routed congestion through low-income neighborhoods, demonstrating how AI can perpetuate existing inequalities.

Chunggong observed that a handful of technology corporations now command market capitalizations exceeding entire equity markets of major industrialized nations, while millions of workers in the Global South receive minimal compensation for work that supports these systems. This concentration of benefits among those with the most power, while costs fall on those with the least, represents a fundamental challenge to democratic principles.

He emphasized that over 60 parliaments have taken action on AI, but noted that these efforts need to be accelerated with increased coordination across borders. The challenge, he explained, is that “AI doesn’t have a national passport” while democratic institutions remain largely confined within national boundaries.

India’s Practical Implementation Model

Speaker Om Birla presented India’s approach to integrating AI while maintaining democratic principles. He described India’s comprehensive digitization program, including the paperless parliament initiative and plans to complete digitization of all state assemblies by 2026 with AI integration. This practical implementation demonstrated how the theoretical frameworks discussed by other speakers could be applied in practice.

Birla emphasized India’s unique position in implementing inclusive AI solutions, given the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity. He described the parliamentary digitization project, which will create searchable databases of legislative debates using AI technology, illustrating how technology can enhance rather than replace democratic processes.

The Indian approach, as presented by Birla, emphasizes integration of ethical values with technological advancement. His reference to India’s youth population possessing both technological capability and cultural grounding reflected a distinctive approach to AI development that combines innovation with traditional values, reinforced by the summit’s connection to the Gayatri Parivar spiritual organization.

Parliamentary Leadership and Democratic Accountability

The discussion consistently returned to the crucial role of parliamentary institutions in AI governance. Chunggong argued that the principle of elected legislatures shaping societal rules represents the cornerstone of democracy, with parliaments serving as the crucial link between AI’s real-world impact and political accountability. Members of parliament hear directly from workers affected by automation, communities concerned with algorithmic decision-making, and parents navigating their children’s relationship with technology.

This connection between governance and lived experience emerged as a central theme, with speakers noting that while AI’s effects transcend national boundaries, democratic institutions remain largely confined within them. The international dimension of AI governance presents particular challenges, as current efforts remain fragmented and short on binding commitments.

Ethical Framework and Human Responsibility

The discussion emphasized human responsibility and agency in AI governance. Olahaji made a philosophical distinction between AI as a “library of knowledge” versus a “guru,” emphasizing that while AI can follow encoded ethical rules, it cannot live or comprehend them as humans do. This reinforced the principle that responsibility must lie with human actors rather than algorithms.

Dr. Fadi Dao, in brief concluding remarks, emphasized that AI should capitalize on human intellectual, social, and ethical intelligence for a flourishing future for all. He called for digital and AI literacy as a universal human right, with safety and inclusion embedded in all AI systems.

Lord Rawal highlighted the importance of adaptability to change as a core value, noting that the speed of AI advancement creates uncertainty that political leaders must help citizens manage.

Challenges and Future Directions

Several significant challenges remained unresolved in the discussion. The question of achieving binding international agreements when countries hold different understandings of ethical AI and democratic institutions represents a fundamental obstacle. The uneven level of AI preparedness across different countries, particularly between developed nations and the Global South, creates additional complications for coordinated responses.

The challenge of maintaining democratic accountability when AI systems operate as “black boxes” not understood by most politicians and citizens remains particularly acute. The concentration of AI power in few companies while ensuring democratic distribution of benefits presents ongoing tensions between innovation incentives and democratic principles.

Conclusion

Dr. Pandya concluded by referencing ancient Indian wisdom that democracy, like a river, is constantly evolving and developing. Democracy has survived challenges from various technologies throughout history, but AI presents a qualitatively different challenge because it does not merely transmit information but can manipulate, predict, act, and modify behavior and outcomes.

The consensus that emerged was that success requires embedding democratic accountability, human rights, and the rule of law at the heart of how AI is designed, deployed, and governed. This cannot be achieved through technological solutions alone but requires the collective intelligence and coordinated action that the summit represented.

The fundamental question, as framed by the speakers, is not whether AI will be used within democratic systems—it already is—but what values will shape its use. The summit’s significance lay in demonstrating that AI governance discussions must move beyond the boardrooms of technology companies and capitals of a few nations to include diverse global perspectives. As the world’s largest democracy hosting this crucial conversation, with the unique cultural and spiritual context provided by the Gayatri Parivar organization, India’s leadership in fostering inclusive dialogue about AI’s democratic implications represents an important contribution to global AI governance discourse.

Session transcript

Speaker 1

I think in the stream of various sessions, I think we have got a few moments for contemplation, to know, to understand, to revise and to kind of going, diving deeper into the concept which we are discussing from past three and four days. And today, when we are in Delhi, when we are in the largest democracy of the world, when we are in Bharat, so I think each one of us being here, part of this fantastic session, when the term is re -imagining governance, so we all can re -imagine in our own way. and in a short while from now our honourable chief guest and honourable guest of honours and all the dignitaries are going to arrive in the stage and we will start the session immediately.

Thank you. Now our honourable chief guest has arrived in Bharat Mandapam. In next 60 seconds he will be here with us on the dais and we will start the session. So once again we would like to welcome you all on behalf of all world Gayatri Parivaar, Dev Sanskriti Vishwadyale and India AI Mission. When we talk about democracy there is a wonderful concept, that each individual plays a very vital role because together we make it. an individual, when individual join hand together they become family when families join hand together they become a society and their society is also named as democracy and the very fantastic example of smallest democracy could be a family and this is the thought which we got to learn from the philosophy of all world Gayatri Parivaar and India, Bharat, Rishis tradition and you will be happy that today in this deliberation if you are here you are going to get something very unique our honourable chief guest is about to arrive and we are about to start the session music music music music Thank you.

Thank you. being happy is a natural state of being human and with that happiness on your faces and with zeal, enthusiasm and positive vibes we are about to start artificial intelligence for democracy, reimagining governance in the age of intelligence when we have some eminent dignitaries in the panel and they have various responsibilities so amidst those responsibilities they are making out their time and they are about to arrive in the auditorium and we are about to start the session thank you Thank you. Thank you. © transcript Emily Beynon © transcript Emily Beynon our guest of honour Mr. Martin Chungungji Secretary General IPU Mr. Lazos Olaji Deputy Speaker Parliament of Hungary Dr. Chinmay Bandyaji from All World Gayatri Parivaar and Sophia Geminiyaji from Mexico please put your hands together and let’s welcome, kindly rise up and we welcome our honourable chief guest honourable Om Birlaji Speaker of Parliament of India our honourable Dr. Chinmay Bandyaji chair and host of the event from All World Gayatri Parivaar the team is requesting for a good photograph in the initial session so that they can present it as a memento so our honourable speakers are requested to kindly join for a good photograph and then further we will proceed to the next session Mr. Chintanji.

So if you can kindly. Okay. So let’s start the session here for democracy. And now I would like to invite Ms. Honorable Jimena Sofia -Veverosi, President, Human AI Foundation, Mexico, to address us on the theme, Critical Challenges in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Please welcome Honorable Ms. Jimena Sofia -Veverosi.

Jimena Sofia-Veverosi:

Hello. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is a pleasure to be back here in India. As a fellow citizen of the Global South, I am very happy to see these discussions taking place here. So thank you. Thank you to the government of India for hosting us and the organizers of this event. we’re here to discuss a very important topic, AI for democracy. And I want to emphasize the phrasing of this. It is AI for democracy. How can AI actually serve democracy instead of eroding democracy? If we think about the pillars where any democracy lies and can bear fruits, from accountability, rule of law, oversight, transparency, inclusivity, equity, justice, just to name a few, these are the same principles that should guide us in the quest for global governance of AI.

Global governance of AI is a precursor for a democratic development and evolution. And we need to continue to develop and they’re still being concentrated in a few, very few companies and even less countries. So the way to democratize these technologies is through inclusive participation, through global governance that moves beyond voluntary commitments and into binding agreements. It goes from principles and guidelines into measurable standards and benchmarks and different commitments that at a global stage can actually materialize democratic principles. We need guardrails that are clearly defined and we also need clearly defined red lines. Especially for the benefit that can be reaped from these

Dr. Chinmay Pandya

Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, dear Jimena, all the distinguished dignitaries present here, brothers and sisters from different parts of the world, good afternoon to everyone and my respectful pranams from Haridwar. First of all, being an Indian, I extend my warmest welcome to everyone who has travelled all the way from different parts of the world to Bharat. And not only I extend my warmest welcome on behalf of Bharat, I also extend my warmest welcome on behalf of Gayatri Parivar. We have 150 million members, 5 ,000 centres, and it’s an absolute delight to have you here. And today we have got a scintillating session on the AI for democracy, India being the largest democracy in the world and also the first country to have established a democratic foundation, Lichchavi Ghanaraj Jinn Vaisali, and also India playing a very significant role in the artificial intelligence.

I believe this had been the most important event. We are more or less actually reaching to the… culmination of this historical AI summit. So nothing could have been a better kind of end than thinking about AI for democracy. And we have chosen this title because the title itself signals both promise and provocation. Promise because AI offers unprecedented tools for governance. And provocation because democracy, if we all think about it, at its very heart, is not a technical system. It’s a deeply human one. And we are living through the historical times where technology is evolving faster than the political institutions. And AI is sitting at the very heart of this transformation. Now AI algorithms can allow you and I to see the information.

It can also ensure that how services are delivered, how resources are allocated, how decisions are made. So that is why the fundamental question that is in front of our most wonderful panel is to think about AI. To think about whether AI would strengthen the democracy or would it quietly erode it. And the reason to ask that question is very simple. Democracy is built on the principles of participation, honesty, equality, trust, transparency. And AI is built on the principles of data, automation, optimization. And no one can truly predict that if these two very contrasting looking systems intersect, then what would be the outcome? It totally depends upon who is designing AI, who is deploying AI, who is governing AI and by whom.

So on one hand, we have got unprecedented promise offered to us by the AI for democratic renewal. It can make government’s service delivery better. It can reduce the corruption. It can help civil servants, policy makers to navigate the complexities of a system that no human mind can deal on their own. But on the other hand, as we say in Gita, Wherever there is fire. There is also some smoke. Wherever there is something good, you also need to be concerned about something. And what we are concerned about are a multitude of things. AI has got capacity to amplify the misinformation. It has got a power to deepen the polarization. It has got a capacity to manipulate the public opinion.

Two years ago, this would have been a speculation, but now it has become a reality. I mean, look at the news from last year in Romania. The constitutional court had to cancel the presidential elections. Presidential elections because AI was fiddling with the election. So imagine that. It has a capacity to concentrate the power in the hand of few, those who control data, those who control technology, those who control the algorithms. And democracy is meant to distribute the power among everyone, not to concentrate in the hand of few. So the real question is, the real question that we are asking is not how AI is going to be used for democracy. but it should be used democratically.

It should be used by everyone. And that’s why the second title, like in the second part of our theme is reimagining governance. Because what we essentially need is four types of governance. We need a governance at the level of public institutions, laws, regulatory bodies, public institutions. They should not only be able to understand the AI system, they should be able to oversee it. We need a technological governance because whose values are encoded into the AI? We just need to think about that. We need a civic governance. The digital literacy should be at par with the digital power. And also we need global governance because AI has no reason to respect the national borders and democracies largely confined within them.

So how cross -border AI platforms would affect the democratic foundations, no one knows. And I know as a host that these are not the very easy questions and they don’t have any quick fixes. But it is important for us to remember that democracy, when it was built in India, the rishi who wrote the foundation of it, he said democracy is like a river. It’s constantly evolving and constantly developing. And AI has, like democracy, has survived through multiple challenges. It has passed through public media, print media, mass media, radio, television, internet, and now AI is the new challenge. But unlike previous technologies, it is not only a supplier of the information. It is not merely transmitting it.

It can manipulate, it can predict, it can act, it can modify. So stakes are higher. Technologists alone cannot design it. Policy makers alone cannot control it. And civic society alone cannot criticize it. It requires collective intelligence. And that’s why precisely we have got this dynamic panel from all sectors of the society. I remember Gurudev in 1987 when he was writing the famous book Parivartan Ke Mahanshan, he wrote that current times may look dark and gloomy, but they should not bring fear or despair to us. Rather, we should embrace them like a call of action because they are a sign that we are born at a very special time when entire humanity has been called to accomplish that was never accomplished before, which is to fight together the misfortunes of today’s world together.

Together as one single race, together as one single civilization, together as one single humanity, and together as one single family. And that is what we intend to do. Because AI… has got something very special. It is critically embedded in every infrastructure of human civilization. So its power is growing. And as the power is growing, so does our collective responsibility to ensure that this power is aligned with the human values, social stability, and planetary well -being. and as host, my duty is not to provide the answer but to raise the right question and the right question that we have got today is not how AI would influence democracy because it already does. The real question is that how democracy would influence the artificial intelligence and that is what we are asking here today and I am delighted that we have got the most wonderful panel here.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Dr. Pandya, chair and host of the event from all old Gayatri Paribhar for this powerful message. In democratic institution, Mr. Lazos Olahaji, Deputy Speaker, Parliament of Hungary.

Mr. Lazos Olahaji

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, Honourable Speaker Omvirla, Namaskar. First of all, please give a big applause to the Honourable President of Hungary, for the organizers. What they have done is tremendous. First conference in the South, which one is important for the whole world. Thank you so much for organizing this. For the first time in human history, we are confronted with a technology whose inner workings are not understood by the vast majority of population, including many politicians like me. Its internal processes largely remain a black box. For the first time, humanity faces a technology in which hundreds of millions of people may come to believe that there are scenarios in which they themselves are no longer necessary.

For the first time, a technology may reach a stage at which individuals can no longer reliably determine whether what they see is real. For the first time, a technology can cross national borders with unprecedented ease, largely unconstrained by traditional regulatory frameworks. For the first time, private companies are able to influence the direction of the world. For the first time, a technology can cross national borders with unprecedented ease, largely unconstrained by traditional regulatory frameworks. For the first time, a technology can cross national borders with unprecedented ease, largely unconstrained by traditional regulations. For the first time, a technology can cross national borders with unprecedented regulations. For the first time, a technology can cross national borders with unprecedented to an abnormal extent without meaningful state oversight or democratic accountability.

Ladies and gentlemen, technological development does not automatically equal to social development or progress. The history of democracy demonstrates that major technological revolutions create new power structures and can profoundly disrupt existing social consensus. The worst -case scenario is not that artificial intelligence makes mistakes. But that it functions especially well at a moment when there is no internationally accepted consensus on democratic and ethical boundaries. Under such conditions, AI would not serve as a tool of democracy, but rather as its invisible transformer. We should not expect a sudden revolutionary collapse, but instead a gradual erosion of democratic systems. The gravest outcome will not be that citizens believe a deepfake, but that they eventually believe in the future. nothing at all.

An increasing number of fabricated yet convincing videos will circulate while genuine political scandals will be dismissed as deepfakes. Voters will lose not only the ability but also the motivation to distinguish truth from falsehood. In this undesirable scenario elections will remain formal intact but technically functional yet their main meaning will disappear. Political campaigns will become foggy, messaging will consist of individual manipulation and no one will know what promises made to others. Elections will resemble psychological experiments rather than democratic contest. Political debates will erode and accountable political programs will cease to exist. In such circumstances manipulation will always be cheaper and faster than defending ourselves against them. Public also will be more likely to be the target of the public’s attention.

Authorities and independent media will lag behind while malicious actors remain behind. one step ahead. Accountability will gradually vanish. There will be no clear responsible actors, no effective legal remedies, and no opportunity for institutional learning. The democracy cannot function in the absence of accountability. If it happens, people can expect increasing demands for strong -handed leadership, declining tolerance, and a diminishing commitment to pluralism. Dictatorial models may appear more efficient to ordinary citizens, offering faster decisions, fewer debates, and less disorder by parliamentary systems by their very nature seem slow and chaotic. When we assess the current situation, it becomes clear that substantial work lies ahead, not at the national level alone, but collectively. Success is possible only if we acknowledge that we do not share a single understanding of ethical AI.

Nor do we hold identical views on democratic institutions. Thank you. We face a choice, either we step back or allow the worst -case scenario to unfold, or we seek at least a minimal common denominator and begin laying the foundations of ethical artificial intelligence, which is capable of supporting democratic systems. Fostering international cooperation in the field of AI governance is a complex task. Over the past six months from Hungary, my colleagues and I have engaged with institutions in more than 50 countries to assess their approaches to AI and electoral integrity. What we have observed is a highly uneven level of preparedness. While some countries are developing comprehensive guidelines, strategies, ethical frameworks, and competitive capacities, others due to limited expertise, infrastructures, or resources are only beginning these discussions.

Nonetheless, we must pursue shared solutions. Without them, unethical AI will always find a foothold. We must put somewhere. from which it can undermine even those systems that strive to operate ethically. Ladies and gentlemen, politicians are often asked, who bears responsibility? One answer is certainly wrong. The algorithm decides. Here we may turn to centuries of Indian philosophical thought for guidance. Its message is clear. This responsibility lies with the actor, not with the tool. Artificial intelligence may function as a library of knowledge, but it’s not a guru. It can follow ethical rules encoded within it, but it does not live or comprehend them like us, humans. Decision makers must both understand and internalize these ethical principles. Ladies and gentlemen, if political leaders demonstrate courage and genuine capacity for international cooperation, as this conference clearly illustrates, we will realize, the positive potential of artificial intelligence.

Truths will not disappear. AI can assist in the detection of deep fakes. AI can significantly enhance institutional transparency. Citizens can gain deeper insight into administrative and decision -maker processes. AI can play a crucial role in making the use of public funds more transparent, thereby strengthening public trust. It can support better, more informed public policy decisions. It can expand citizen participation through feedback analysis, online consultation, and participatory budgeting, bringing the will of voters closer to those who govern. Ethical artificial intelligence will never replace democratic institutions, but it can reinforce them if it’s guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, human oversight, and civic participation. The question, therefore, is not whether AI will be able to be used within democratic systems, but what kind of values will shape its use.

Let me be optimistic. If those values are clearly defined, artificial intelligence will not threaten democracy. It will become one of its instruments and, in the end, potentially a means of its renewal. Dear honorable guests, do not be afraid to use AI, cooperate, and do not forget to be human. Thank you so much.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Mr. Lazarus. And now moving further for guest of honor’s address, who programs democracy when AI enters governance. It’s our great honor and pleasure to invite Secretary General, Inter -Parliamentary Union, Mr. Martin Chung -Wong.

Martin Chunggong

at the AI Summit here in Delhi. I am deeply honored to be here today in the presence of the honorable speaker to address you today at this last MAC Summit. India’s decision to host the AI Impact Summit here in New Delhi sends a powerful signal. It proves that the conversation about artificial intelligence cannot be confined to capitals of a few nations or the boardrooms of technology companies. This dialogue must belong to all of humanity. Ladies and gentlemen, India has a track record of technological innovation and technological development. including in the area of AI. And as has been mentioned earlier this afternoon, it is also the largest democracy in the world. So where could we find a better venue for a meeting that would bring democracy together with technology and AI?

I say this because the theme of this session, AI for Democracy, cuts to the heart of the matter. We are not simply debating a new technology. We are debating the future shape of power. Who will hold it? Who will be accountable for it? And will the institutions that citizens depend upon, institutions built… over generations to protect rights, resolve disputes, and represent the will of the people be strengthened or sidelined in the age of artificial intelligence? Let me be very direct about what is at stake. Artificial intelligence is not a future challenge. It is transforming our societies now. Artificial intelligence generated content already features in election campaigns across multiple continents. Deepfakes have been used to discredit political actors, disproportionately affecting women, algorithmic systems are making decisions about who receives public services, who qualifies for a loan, or who is flagged for surveillance.

Those who design, train, and deploy these systems will influence not only over individual users, but also the information environment of democracy itself. So, at the first inter -parliamentary conference on responsible AI last November in Malaysia, members of parliament raised cases that brought this risk into sharp focus. In Amsterdam, an automated traffic management system inadvertently routed congestion into the city of Malawi, which was a major problem for the government. It was a major problem for the government, even through low -income neighborhoods, because the algorithm had learned that those communities lacked the political influence. to object. Examples like this will scale rapidly if governance does not keep pace, perpetuating harms against those historically excluded from decision -making.

Yet, democratic governance is not keeping pace. Power is accumulating rapidly in the hands of those at the forefront of AI development. A handful of technology corporations now command market capitalizations exceeding the entire equity markets of major industrialized nations, while millions of workers in the global south are paid little to annotate the data sets on which the systems are trained. The benefits of AI are increasingly concentrated. While many of the costs fall on those who are not able to afford the services of the with the least power to shape the technology. This is not merely an economic concern. It is a democratic concern. When the systems that govern aspects of people’s daily lives, their access to information services and economic opportunity are controlled by a small number of actors without meaningful public oversight, then the social contract itself is under strain.

That is why we must frame this not simply as technology policy, but as democratic governance. The choices made today about how AI is developed, deployed and regulated involve trade -offs between innovation and safety, efficiency and equity, profit and loss. And the public interest. In any healthy democracy, those trade -offs are debated openly, decided transparently, and subject to accountability. The parliamentary community declared in Malaysia that we do not accept the concentration of power in the hands of a few actors. They called on all stakeholders to agree upon red lines that this technology cannot cross. They insisted on an equal voice for the global south. And they called on all parliaments to engage actively with AI governance efforts at every level.

Thank you. The principle that elected legislatures shape the rules governing society is… the cornerstone of democracy. But the contribution of parliaments to AI governance goes beyond that basic principle. Parliaments are where the real -world impact of AI meets political accountability. Members of parliament hear directly from workers affected by automation, from communities concerned with algorithmic decision -making, from parents navigating their children’s relationship with technology. This connects governance to lived experience and informs the AI debate through the values of the people. Parliaments can and must stimulate that broader societal conversation through hearings, consultations, and multi -stakeholder dialogues. I believe you heard what the Deputy Speaker of Hungary said about the practice… in his country, which I believe is the path down which we would want to travel.

This brings me to the international dimension. AI is a truly global challenge whose effects transcend national borders. As we would say, AI doesn’t have a national passport. While the risks are real, from job displacement to environmental costs, so too are the opportunities. AI has genuine potential to improve healthcare, expand access to education, and accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. But those benefits will not be shared equitably by default. That requires deliberate, collective effort. It requires collective action, and it requires that the countries with the most to gauge the potential of the system are not shut out of the conversation. Yet, international AI governance remains fragmented and short on binding commitments. Geopolitical competition risks fracturing governance efforts further.

That is why this summit, I say this summit, and those which will follow, must embody the inclusive participatory approach that the equitable governance of AI demands. Parliaments are pivotal to ensuring coherence between domestic legislation, established human rights, and evolving international standards, and to holding their governments accountable, for the commitments made at summits like this one. The Inter -Parliamentary Union… is committed to supporting that engagement. In the past two years, over 60 parliaments have taken action on AI, from comprehensive legislation to oversight inquiries. Across the world, parliaments are forming cross -party groups, establishing specialized committees, and building capacity. The foundations are being laid, but they need to be built on faster, with increased coordination across borders.

Parliaments are also beginning to explore how AI can support their own work, and those that experience its promise and limitations firsthand will bring far greater understanding of the role of AI in the future. They are responding to the task of governing it. let me return to the principle at the heart of what I have said today democracy cannot be automated it must be shaped by every one of us through our democratic institutions through open debate through laws made transparently and enforced fairly and through international cooperation in which every every nation can participate the choices we make will determine whether AI furthers democracy or erodes it if we succeed AI can become a tool for inclusion participation, human rights and better governance if we fail it risks becoming for for for becoming a fool which concentrates power, weakens accountability, and erodes trust in public institutions, including parliaments.

The task before us is to embed democratic accountability, human rights, and the rule of law at the heart of how AI is designed, deployed, and governed. This summit is a critical opportunity to advance that mission. Let us make the most of it together. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Mr. Jungbong. And now, in this momentous occasion, it’s our great honor and pleasure, as today we have with us as chief guest, Honorable Mr. Om Bhildaji, Speaker of Parliament of India. When democracy meets AI, what are the opportunities for that? For deliberation, please put your hands together and we invite Honorable Om Bhildaji. Thank you.

Om Birla

Secretary General, IPU is one of the most important institutions in the world. It is one of the most important institutions in the world. It is one of the most important institutions in the world. It is one of the most important institutions in the world. It is one of the most important institutions in the world. It is one of the most important institutions in the world. It is one of the most important institutions in the world. It is one of the most important institutions in the world. It is one of the most important institutions in the world. It is one of the most important institutions in the world. It is one of the most important institutions in the world.

It is one of the most important institutions in the world. to make an answer for the people. For this, all the parliaments of the world are discussing this issue at regular intervals. I welcome the Secretary -General of the IPU, Martin Csuk -Ok. Parliament of Hungary’s Parliament’s Deputy Chairman I welcome the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Assembly.My grandfather, Acharya Shri Ram Sharma, and his mother have made the life of many people in the world, not just in India, but in the whole world. And this organization is continuously working to bring this spiritual value to many countries of the world, from small villages to big cities. And along with this, the Dev Sanskriti Vidyalay here, which is amazing where in Dev Sanskriti Vidyalaya the moral values of the spiritual values are taught but at the same time in modernity, technology whatever is the new education system of the world that education system also by giving education to Indian moral values and spiritual values for the establishment of a moral society this Vidyalaya has a very big role I have been there many times inside the Vidyalaya if you go there you will see that there Vedic values also and political education also Adhyatmik Gyan Bhi Yog Bhi Sabhi Tareke Ki Shikshaon Ke Saath Saath Duniya Ki Badalti Shiksha Vyasta Ke Andam Takni Ki Shiksha Aur Takni Ki Shiksha Ke Madhyam Se Samaj Jeevan Me Parivartan Karte Hue Ek Netik Rasht Ke Nirman Ki Liye Isvish Dhyale Me Adhbut Shiksha Di Jati Aur Mujhe Kushi Hai Ki Aap Ne Aaj AI for Democracy Aur Bhish Me Loktanthi Sansthaon Loktanth Ke Andar Hum Savvadur Ki Paramparaon Ko Sabhi Tareke Ki Aage Bada Kar Kis Tariqe Se Aap Ne Aaj technology ka upyog karke in Lok Tantrik Sansthaon ko janta ke prati jawab dey Lok Tantrik Sansthaon ke andar pardhashita Lok Tantrik Sansthaon ki jawab dey aur Lok Tantrik Sansthaon ke andar chiniwe janpratidiyon ki shamta ko barana technology ka upyog karke wo kis tarike se janta aur Lok Tantrik Sansthaon ke beech mein ek better samvad kar sakte hai ta ki ek jawab dey sanstha ke saath ek jawab dey netik mulli wale janpratidiy desh ke vikas me yogdan kar seke aur mujhe kushi hai iske liye duniya bhar ki sansudhey are working on their own level.

Recently, the assembly of the speakers of the Commonwealth countries to organize the CSPOC was given to the Indian Assembly. And in this assembly, the Commonwealth Parliament, the speakers of the country, the deputy speakers, the representatives, and there was a long discussion about how we can bring together the international organizations and the international community. We can use AI, we can use an answer -based technology, we can use an answer -based technology, technology ka upyog karen. Ta ki hum desh ki sabhi loktanti sansataon ko unki kaare sanskati ko samvaat ko, charcha ko ek better bana seken. Aur iske liye Bharat ki sansat bhi bade star par kaam kar rahe hain. Bharat ki sansat ke saath hamari raja ki vidhan samvayen.

Wo bhi technology par kaam kar rahe hain. Aur Bharat ke andar vidhan samvayen lok samvayen. Saari vidhan samvayen lok samvayen aaj pe padhle so chuki hain. Ye hum sab ke liye kyunki Bharat duniya ki sabse badi demokrasi wala desh hai. Demokrasi bhi sabse hamari adbuta We have different languages, our language, our culture, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our language, our culture, our language our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our language, our culture, our language, our culture, our language, our language, our culture, our language, our language, our culture, our language, our language, our culture, our language, our language, our culture, our language, our language, our language, our culture, our language, our language our language, our language, our language, our culture, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language, our language you can see it on a platform.

And that is why we have started working on a large scale. Today, most of our Vidhan Sabha, not just Jatara, all of our Vidhan Sabha have become paperless. All of their debates, all of their discussions, all of their budget passes, all of their budgets, all of the issues of the state, all of the issues of the central government, all of those debates have been digitized from the beginning of the Vidhan Sabha. the work of digitization has been done. And till 2026, the remaining Vidhan Sabha after this whole work we will give a model in the country that all the institutions of the world from the Vidhan Sabha of the state of India to the Vidhan Sabha of the state of India to the Vidhan Sabha of the state of India to the Vidhan Sabha of the state of India to the Vidhan Sabha of the state of India to the Vidhan Sabha of the state of India to the Vidhan Sabha of the state of India on one platform and it will be a new innovation.

With that innovation, we have also tried to use AI in it. Because when you go to the subject, topic, discussion on metadata, how will you be able to search in all those debates? With AI technology, you will be able to use all the state’s legislations and public opinion platforms and you will be able to see and read all the subjects and issues of the state through metadata. This will increase the capacity of our people in our democratic institutions, the level of debate and discussion will be higher, and while making laws, people will be able to participate in it. We will be able to reach the full people. will improve the law by making the thoughts of the people more comprehensive.

And while making the law, the discussion will be good in the parliament and parliament of the people. For this, India technically I can say that in the form of AI, India will become a new model of technical practices for the parliament. I am happy that in the leadership of the Prime Minister, today, the world’s largest AI conference is taking place here. In which more than 100 people from different countries have come, representatives have come, the President has come, the parliament’s and how do we change the world using AI, how do we increase the productivity of people’s capacity to build industries, be it the agricultural sector or the energy sector, and how do we make India the youngest country in the world.

Today, the youth of India is doing new things in the form of technology, and that is why this youth population is the biggest strength of India. And that is why using this strength in the right direction is the only way to solve the challenges of the world. And in this direction, we are moving forward. I hope that our talent is abundant in the world. Our youth’s ability, concentration, self -confidence, self -confidence is amazing. Because it has spiritual and political value. And Dev Sanskriti Vidyalaya, where in the form of technology, in the technical knowledge, the youth are being taught Vedic and Devic knowledge, along with that they are being taught modern technology. But that knowledge should be on political values, it should be for everyone’s development, it should be trusted, it should be trustworthy.

Because, while using technology, if we do not use all the technology, then its direction can also be wrong. And that is why a student who studies in the spiritual, religious and cultural fields can use AI technology as a response and answer. And in this direction, India is definitely working because India has power. India has energy. We are growing rapidly in the world by having clean energy. We have young people, young people with political values. And their thinking is amazing. And their belief and self -confidence is also amazing. And that is why our speed and scale is growing rapidly. And that is why the world is looking at India. You have also seen. The view of all the national leaders is also towards India.

and he has also said that definitely in India’s technology, in the AI sector, he is doing a good job. And the speed at which We will use AI in machines, but our human resources will work in the right direction. I again give a lot of appreciation to all the people who have come here. And we will get a new direction from this discussion and discussion. And we will be able to use AI in India on the basis of political values, with inclusive development, with inclusive democracy. Thank you very much. Jai Hind. Thank you very much. Jai Hind. Thank you very much. Jai Hind. Jai Hind. Jai Hind. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

Dr. Chinmay Pandya

Dr. Fadi Dao here. He is the chairman of the Globe Ethics. And there is one single question that I wanted to ask you, Dr. Dao, that you just listened to the excellent deliberation by the Honorable Speaker and the variety of voices here. And India is a country with 27 official languages, 19 ,500 dialects. We have got more than 400 documented cultures. And we go with the belief and value of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. So how do you see the way forward from here? If I can hear from you in one minute, please.

Dr. Fadi Dao

Thank you, dear Dr. Honorable Speaker, Excellencies, dear moderator and friend, Dr. Chinmay Pandeya, thank you for the question and the opportunity. I would like to highlight that the AI Impact Summit in India is organized around seven chakras. And the first one of these chakras is about human capital. And this, my first part of my answer, is the following. Artificial intelligence should not only be about a new technological frontier, but also and mainly about a new way of capitalizing on the human intellectual, social, and ethical intelligence for a flourishing future for all. And then the title of our panel is on AI for and not against democracy. And this is my second and last conclusion, is that safety and inclusion should be embedded in the development and the deployment of all AI systems.

But also, we need digital and AI literacy for all people as a universal human right. And I’m grateful for India, the largest nation in the world, for reminding us that we need to develop a system that is inclusive, inclusive, and inclusive. that through this summit and the purpose of AI democratization is not people’s manipulation or domination. India is reminding us also today that the purpose of AI is the social empowerment and participation of all people. To conclude, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to say on behalf of Globe Ethics, my organization that is based in Geneva, that we are committed to capitalize on the outcomes of this summit and this panel. In the perspective of the 2027 summit in Geneva, where we would like to welcome you all.

Thank you.

Dr. Chinmay Pandya

Thank you, Dr. Dow. And very shortly, Lord Rawal is with us from House of Lords, also a devout member of the Gayatri Parivar. If you could kindly shed a light on the way that India should take now for democracy.

Lord Rawal

Thank you, Paya. Ladies and gentlemen, one of the tenets of Gayatri Parivar that I grew up in, is the adaptability to change. Change is such an intrinsic part of the entire fraternity. And that is, I think, a real advantage. Because what will happen, the big cost of AI, is the speed with which technology is advancing, which can really make people unsettled. And the uncertainty, as a politician, I need to contain people’s uncertainty. And I think this preparedness for change, Chimabaya, which is a cardinal value of your organization, will really help people. There’s other things I could say, but I’ll leave it at that, because we’re pressed for time. Thank you.

Dr. Chinmay Pandya

Thank you. Now it’s time for felicitations. On behalf of India AI Mission, Government of India, and all the world Gayatri Parivaar, Dev Sanskriti Vishwadyalaya please put your hands together for wonderful session and we express our gratitude towards our honorable chief guest honorable guest of honors and Dev Sanskriti Vishwadyalaya, all the world Gayatri Parivaar in itself started a very wonderful program like when we are integrating artificial intelligence with spirituality we are talking about future of faith in interfaith dialogues worldwide Dr. Chidambar Pandya ji is representing the thought and today on this very wonderful gathering we once again thank our honorable guest of honors, honorable distinguished speakers and all the participants thank you, thank you once again do visit Shantikunj Haridwar, Dev Sanskriti Vishwadyalaya and you can scan the QR code on the screen so that you can get a very wonderful gift afterwards once you scan and you put your please put your hands together once again we thank you with a big applause our honorable speaker Lok Sabha, Adar Nishri Om Birla ji and our honorable guests once again a big round of applause thank you all thank you the next stage is beginning you all please be there for the co -operation thank you QR code which you can see in front of you, scan it so that you can be given special gift for this program.

Thank you.

Speaker 1

Speech speed

76 words per minute

Speech length

708 words

Speech time

557 seconds

Framing AI for democracy within India’s democratic spirit

Explanation

The speaker asks how democracy can intersect with AI and emphasizes that the summit in Delhi offers a chance for the world’s largest democracy to re‑imagine governance through AI. This framing positions AI as a tool to deepen democratic participation.

Evidence

“When democracy meets AI, what are the opportunities for that?” [5]. “And today, when we are in Delhi, when we are in the largest democracy of the world, when we are in Bharat, so I think each one of us being here, part of this fantastic session, when the term is re -imagining governance, so we all can re -imagine in our own way.” [102].

Major discussion point

International cooperation and parliamentary action

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Social and economic development

Jimena Sofia-Veverosi

Speech speed

106 words per minute

Speech length

Human capital, AI literacy, and adaptability

Topics

Capacity development | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society

Dr. Chinmay Pandya

Speech speed

163 words per minute

Speech length

International cooperation and parliamentary action

Topics

Artificial intelligence | The enabling environment for digital development

Mr. Lazos Olahaji

Speech speed

141 words per minute

Speech length

International cooperation and parliamentary action

Topics

Artificial intelligence | The enabling environment for digital development

Martin Chunggong

Speech speed

97 words per minute

Speech length

International cooperation and parliamentary action

Topics

Artificial intelligence | The enabling environment for digital development

Om Birla

Speech speed

112 words per minute

Speech length

1952 words

Speech time

1044 seconds

India’s AI initiatives and cultural integration

Explanation

He describes how AI is used to digitize legislative bodies, enable metadata search and paper‑less debates, thereby increasing transparency and citizen participation in India’s democracy.

Evidence

“With AI technology, you will be able to use all the state’s legislations and public opinion platforms and you will be able to see and read all the subjects and issues of the state through metadata.” [77]. “This will increase the capacity of our people in our democratic institutions, the level of debate and discussion will be higher, and while making laws, people will be able to participate in it.” [78]. “All of their debates, all of their discussions, all of their budget passes, all of the issues of the state… have been digitized from the beginning of the Vidhan Sabha.” [86]. “Today, most of our Vidhan Sabha, not just Jatara, all of our Vidhan Sabha have become paperless.” [92].

Major discussion point

India’s AI initiatives and cultural integration

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Social and economic development

Spiritual and cultural values in AI development

Explanation

He notes that AI development in India is being infused with Vedic and Gayatri Parivar values to ensure ethical direction and moral grounding.

Evidence

“And that is why a student who studies in the spiritual, religious and cultural fields can use AI technology as a response and answer.” [94]. “…the moral values of the spiritual values are taught but at the same time in modernity, technology… Vedic values also… to build a moral society… using technology to answer democratic institutions…” [96].

Major discussion point

India’s AI initiatives and cultural integration

Topics

Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society | Artificial intelligence

Dr. Fadi Dao

Speech speed

131 words per minute

Speech length

272 words

Speech time

123 seconds

Human capital, AI literacy, and adaptability

Explanation

He stresses that digital and AI literacy are universal human rights and that safety and inclusion must be embedded in all AI systems.

Evidence

“But also, we need digital and AI literacy for all people as a universal human right.” [39]. “And this is my second and last conclusion, is that safety and inclusion should be embedded in the development and the deployment of all AI systems.” [40].

Major discussion point

Human capital, AI literacy, and adaptability

Topics

Capacity development | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society

AI for humanity not domination

Explanation

He emphasizes that AI democratization should avoid manipulation or domination of people.

Evidence

“that through this summit and the purpose of AI democratization is not people’s manipulation or domination.” [69].

Major discussion point

Human capital, AI literacy, and adaptability

Topics

Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society | Artificial intelligence

Lord Rawal

Speech speed

128 words per minute

Speech length

115 words

Speech time

53 seconds

Human capital, AI literacy, and adaptability

Explanation

He highlights the rapid pace of AI advancement that unsettles people and stresses the need for preparedness and adaptability to manage public uncertainty.

Evidence

“Because what will happen, the big cost of AI, is the speed with which technology is advancing, which can really make people unsettled.” [63]. “And I think this preparedness for change, Chimabaya, which is a cardinal value of your organization, will really help people.” [110].

Major discussion point

Human capital, AI literacy, and adaptability

Topics

Capacity development | Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs

Agreements

Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society | Artificial intelligence

Need for inclusive global cooperation and capacity building

Speakers

– Jimena Sofia-Veverosi
– Mr. Lazos Olahaji
– Martin Chunggong
– Dr. Fadi Dao

Arguments

Global governance of AI requires binding agreements and measurable standards beyond voluntary commitments

International cooperation in AI governance shows uneven preparedness across 50+ countries

Power is concentrating in handful of technology corporations while costs fall on those with least power

Digital and AI literacy should be universal human right with safety and inclusion embedded in all systems

Summary

Strong agreement on the need for inclusive international cooperation, with recognition that current AI development is concentrated in few companies/countries while impacts are global, requiring binding agreements and universal access to AI literacy.

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Closing all digital divides | Capacity development | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society

AI has positive potential when properly governed

Speakers

– Mr. Lazos Olahaji
– Martin Chunggong
– Om Birla

Arguments

AI can assist in detecting deepfakes and enhance institutional transparency for citizens

AI has potential to improve healthcare, expand education access, and accelerate sustainable development

Indian Parliament implementing comprehensive digitization with AI integration across all state assemblies by 2026

Summary

Despite concerns about risks, all speakers acknowledge AI’s significant positive potential for improving governance, public services, healthcare, education, and democratic participation when properly implemented with appropriate safeguards.

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Social and economic development | Information and communication technologies for development

Artificial intelligence | The enabling environment for digital development | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society

Unexpected consensus

Speed and urgency of AI governance response

Speakers

– Mr. Lazos Olahaji
– Martin Chunggong
– Lord Rawal

Arguments

International cooperation in AI governance shows uneven preparedness across 50+ countries

Over 60 parliaments have taken action on AI through legislation and oversight inquiries

Adaptability to change is essential as AI advances at unprecedented speed creating uncertainty

Explanation

Despite coming from different backgrounds and regions, there is unexpected consensus on the urgent need for rapid adaptation and response to AI’s unprecedented speed of development, with recognition that traditional governance mechanisms are struggling to keep pace.

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Capacity development | The enabling environment for digital development

India’s leadership role in AI and democracy

Speakers

– Martin Chunggong
– Om Birla
– Speaker 1

Arguments

India as largest democracy provides ideal venue for bringing together democracy and AI technology

India’s diverse languages and cultures demonstrate inclusive democratic model for AI implementation

India represents the largest democracy and provides unique insights for AI and democracy discussions

Explanation

Unexpected strong consensus from international speakers about India’s unique positioning and leadership potential in AI governance, combining democratic experience with technological capability and cultural diversity.

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Social and economic development | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society

Overall assessment

Summary

The speakers demonstrated remarkable consensus on key issues including the need for multi-level AI governance, recognition of immediate threats to democracy, importance of human oversight, need for inclusive global cooperation, and AI’s positive potential when properly governed. There was also unexpected agreement on the urgency of response and India’s leadership role.

Consensus level

High level of consensus with strong alignment on fundamental principles and approaches. The implications are significant as this suggests a clear path forward for AI governance that combines democratic accountability, human oversight, international cooperation, and recognition of both risks and opportunities. The consensus provides a solid foundation for developing binding international frameworks and coordinated responses to AI governance challenges.

Differences

Artificial intelligence | Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society

Unexpected differences

Role of spiritual and cultural values in AI governance

Speakers

– Om Birla
– Other speakers

Arguments

India’s youth population with spiritual and ethical values represents biggest strength for AI development

Various technical and institutional approaches to AI governance

Explanation

While most speakers focused on technical, legal, and institutional approaches to AI governance, Om Birla uniquely emphasized spiritual and cultural values as foundational to responsible AI development, representing an unexpected philosophical divergence from the predominantly secular governance approaches discussed by others

Topics

Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society | Artificial intelligence | Capacity development

Overall assessment

Summary

The main areas of disagreement centered on governance mechanisms (binding vs. voluntary frameworks), institutional responsibility (multi-level vs. parliamentary-centered), and temporal focus (current vs. future threats). There was also an unexpected philosophical divergence regarding the role of spiritual values in AI governance.

Disagreement level

Moderate disagreement level with significant implications – while speakers shared common concerns about AI’s impact on democracy, their different approaches to governance could lead to fragmented or competing regulatory frameworks. The disagreements suggest a need for greater coordination between international binding agreements, national parliamentary action, and multi-stakeholder governance approaches.

Partial agreements

All speakers agree that AI poses risks to democracy and needs governance, but they disagree on the specific mechanisms – Sofia-Veverosi wants binding international agreements, Pandya wants multi-level governance, and Olahaji emphasizes both risks and opportunities with proper ethical frameworks

Speakers

– Jimena Sofia-Veverosi
– Dr. Chinmay Pandya
– Mr. Lazos Olahaji

Arguments

AI systems need clear guardrails and red lines to prevent democratic erosion

AI has capacity to amplify misinformation, deepen polarization, and manipulate public opinion

AI can assist in detecting deepfakes and enhance institutional transparency for citizens

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society | Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs

Both agree on the importance of parliamentary leadership in AI governance, but Chunggong emphasizes the democratic principle of parliamentary oversight while Birla focuses on practical implementation of AI in parliamentary operations

Speakers

– Martin Chunggong
– Om Birla

Arguments

Parliaments must shape AI rules as elected legislatures are cornerstone of democracy

Indian Parliament implementing comprehensive digitization with AI integration across all state assemblies by 2026

Topics

Artificial intelligence | The enabling environment for digital development | Social and economic development

Both emphasize the importance of human-centered AI development with ethical foundations, but Dao focuses on universal rights and literacy while Birla emphasizes India’s specific cultural and spiritual advantages

Speakers

– Dr. Fadi Dao
– Om Birla

Arguments

Digital and AI literacy should be universal human right with safety and inclusion embedded in all systems

India’s youth population with spiritual and ethical values represents biggest strength for AI development

Topics

Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society | Capacity development | Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence | The enabling environment for digital development | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society

Takeaways

Key takeaways

AI governance requires a multi-layered approach including public institutional, technological, civic, and global governance frameworks

Democracy and AI have fundamentally different operating principles – democracy is built on participation, transparency, and trust while AI operates on data, automation, and optimization

International cooperation is essential for AI governance as technology crosses borders without respecting national regulatory frameworks, but current preparedness levels vary significantly across countries

Parliamentary oversight and democratic accountability are crucial – responsibility must lie with human actors, not algorithms

AI presents both unprecedented opportunities (improved service delivery, reduced corruption, enhanced transparency) and serious risks (misinformation, polarization, power concentration)

India’s position as the world’s largest democracy with diverse languages and cultures makes it an ideal model for inclusive AI implementation

Digital and AI literacy should be considered a universal human right, with safety and inclusion embedded in all AI systems

The speed of AI advancement creates uncertainty that democratic institutions must address through adaptability and preparedness for change

Resolutions and action items

India’s Parliament committed to completing digitization of all state assemblies by 2026 with AI integration for improved searchability and public participation

Commonwealth Parliament speakers agreed to work on AI integration for better institutional communication through CSPOC framework

Commitment to develop binding international agreements and measurable standards for AI governance beyond voluntary commitments

Parliaments called to establish specialized committees, cross-party groups, and build capacity for AI oversight

Agreement to pursue shared solutions and minimal common denominators for ethical AI frameworks across nations

Commitment to capitalize on summit outcomes toward the 2027 Geneva summit for continued international cooperation

Unresolved issues

How to achieve binding international agreements when countries have different understandings of ethical AI and democratic institutions

How to balance innovation with safety, efficiency with equity, and profit with public interest in AI development

How to prevent the concentration of AI power in few companies while ensuring democratic distribution of benefits

How to address the uneven level of AI preparedness across different countries, particularly in the Global South

How to maintain democratic accountability when AI systems operate as ‘black boxes’ not understood by most politicians and citizens

How to ensure AI systems reflect diverse cultural values rather than being encoded with values of a few developers

How to keep democratic governance pace with rapidly evolving AI technology that transcends traditional regulatory frameworks

Suggested compromises

Seeking minimal common denominators for ethical AI frameworks while acknowledging different national approaches to democracy and AI ethics

Balancing technological advancement with democratic values by embedding human oversight and civic participation in AI systems

Combining spiritual/ethical values with modern technology education as demonstrated by Dev Sanskriti Vishwadyalaya model

Using AI as a tool to strengthen rather than replace democratic institutions through transparency and accountability measures

This metaphor effectively captures the borderless nature of AI while highlighting the exclusion of Global South countries from AI governance discussions. It challenges the current power dynamics in international AI governance and calls for genuine inclusivity.

Impact

This comment reinforced the theme of democratic participation at the global level and supported India’s positioning as a voice for the Global South. It validated the summit’s significance as a platform for inclusive AI governance discussions.

Overall assessment

Explanation

Democracy cannot function without accountability, and current AI systems often lack clear responsibility structures

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