Namibia calls for responsible AI use
Sakeus Iikela
Chairperson of the National Council Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha has called for the regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure it protects democracy and serves the public good.
Muha was speaking during a workshop on AI in Parliament: Balancing innovation, oversight, and adaptation at the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi, India.
Hon. Muha said AI is already reshaping societies and requires deliberate legislative action.
“As legislators, we bear the constitutional responsibility to ensure that innovation serves the public good, upholds human dignity and reinforces democratic values,” he said.
Hon. Muha described the CSPOC engagement as part of a broader strategic dialogue on regulating artificial intelligence, particularly where it poses risks to society.
He said parliaments must develop responsive and inclusive legislative frameworks to guide the responsible use of AI.
During the same discussion, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Phillipus Katamelo stressed the need for accountability in the use of artificial intelligence.
“Where there is power, there must also be accountability. You cannot allow systems to exercise power without putting safeguards in place,” he said.
The Honorable Katamelo noted that while parliaments are developing national laws on AI, technology is a global phenomenon and cannot be effectively regulated in isolation.
He called for stronger international coordination and urged the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to revisit its mandate to include ethical responsibility and accountability.
The conference brings together Speakers and Presiding Officers from Commonwealth countries to discuss issues affecting parliamentary democracy and governance.
Topics under consideration include AI in Parliament: Balancing Innovation, Oversight and Adaptation, Social Media and its Impact on Parliamentarians, Innovative Strategies to Enhance Public Understanding of Parliament and Citizen Participation Beyond Voting, Security, Health and Wellbeing of Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Staff, and the Role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in maintaining strong democratic institutions.
As part of the programme, the Namibian delegation participated in the traditional welcome ceremony for members of the CSPOC Standing Committee at Naubatkhana, Red Fort, and observed a live performance reflecting Indian history.
The delegation also participated in a meeting of the CSPOC Standing Committee, during which Hon. Muha called on CSPOC to consider inviting the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) as a permanent member of the Standing Committee, in recognition of the CPA’s role within the Commonwealth parliamentary system.
The conference was officially opened by the Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi.
