Thu Oct 09 16:46:54 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**AI to Bridge Language Gap in Indian Parliament, Says Speaker Birla**
**Bridgetown, Barbados – October 9, 2025:** Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed Commonwealth parliamentarians at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference in Barbados, urging the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance democracy and bridge the digital divide.
Mr. Birla, chairing a session on ‘Leveraging Technology: Enhancing Democracy through Digital Transformations and Tackling the Digital Divide,’ emphasized that cooperation and knowledge-sharing can transform technology into a bridge.
He highlighted India’s strides in integrating AI into parliamentary processes, citing innovations like AI-enabled translation, e-libraries, and speech-to-text reporting. In a significant announcement, Mr. Birla revealed that real-time AI systems, such as Sansad Bhashini, will soon enable Members of Parliament (MPs) to communicate in their native languages. This initiative aims to strengthen democratic engagement within India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
“Democracy thrives when people connect deeply with their parliament,” Mr. Birla stated, underscoring the importance of citizen participation. He discussed the ‘Digital Sansad’ initiative, a unified platform connecting MPs, ministries, and citizens for increased responsiveness.
Mr. Birla also praised India’s digital advancements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, highlighting the rapid rollout of 5G technology and the widespread adoption of UPI payments.
The Lok Sabha Speaker’s address signals India’s commitment to leveraging AI for inclusive governance and bridging communication gaps within its parliamentary system.