Lok Sabha Speaker urges BRICS parliaments to prioritize human oversight and promote ethical, responsible, and transparent technology

The Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha highlighted the importance of human oversight and ethical technology during a historic summit today involving the five major parliaments of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). The primary objective of the summit was to ensure that the development of digital technology aligns with the principles of human rights, transparency, and accountability.

The Speaker stated, “Our digital future depends not only on technological innovation but also on how we govern and regulate it. We must ensure that every new technology works in the interest of humanity and remains safe from any form of misuse.” He specifically emphasized the need for human oversight in the fields of artificial intelligence, biometrics, and data management.

BRICS representatives participating in the summit also expressed their agreement in this direction. The Russian Foreign Minister noted that the Russian government has recently adopted a new ethical framework for AI systems, which includes provisions for transparency and accountability. The Chinese Cybersecurity Officer mentioned that China has implemented new policies to protect citizens’ rights in digital identity systems. A South African Member of Parliament highlighted that their country has made significant progress in the areas of data privacy and digital inclusion.

From the Indian side, the Minister of Information Technology also played his part. He stated that under the Digital India initiative, efforts are being made to ensure digital literacy and access to secure online services for all citizens by 2025. Additionally, India has established a National Committee for the ethical use of AI, which is formulating policies in accordance with international standards.

The Speaker described the summit as a new milestone for “human-centric digital development.” He said that the five BRICS nations should jointly prepare a global framework that not only promotes technological progress but also safeguards human rights and democratic values.

During the meeting, the BRICS member countries issued a joint statement declaring “human oversight, transparent algorithms, and accountable data management” as key priorities. The statement also noted that all member countries would work together to enhance international cooperation for the protection of human rights in the digital age.

Concluding his remarks, the Speaker delivered the message that “along with the development of digital technology, we must ensure that this development is beneficial for all and does not exclude any group.” He presented this initiative as a source of hope for the Indian people, stating, “Our goal is to ensure that all citizens have equal opportunities and their security is guaranteed in the digital world.”

Following this summit, a working group will be formed among the five BRICS countries to take concrete steps for the implementation of ethical technology policies. This initiative could play a significant role in establishing new benchmarks for digital governance at the global level.