Deepfakes pose serious risk to democratic discourse: Lok Sabha Speaker OM Birla

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on February 20 drew attention to the growing challenges posed by deepfakes and misinformation, while stressing the need to develop robust safeguards alongside technological advancements to protect democratic discourse from manipulation and confusion.

He was addressing the special session titled “AI for Democracy” at the India AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He emphasised that Artificial Intelligence (AI) must be used to strengthen truth and credibility, not to distort or suppress facts.

Birla noted that AI has the potential to make democracy more transparent, accountable and citizen-centric. He stressed that the nation’s guiding principle has always been “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” for the welfare and happiness of all. India, he noted, works with the spirit of global well-being, rooted in its enduring civilizational values.

Highlighting the transformative role of technology in legislative functioning, the Speaker observed that AI is emerging as a significant tool for strengthening democratic institutions. He was happy to note that initiatives such as “Digital Parliament” are simplifying communication between citizens and Parliament, bridging the digital and information divide in a diverse country like India.

He informed that under the Digital Parliament initiative, parliamentary proceedings have been made paperless, modern and environmentally sustainable. With the help of AI tools, thousands of hours of parliamentary debates and records have been systematically organised and made easily searchable and accessible to the public. This, he emphasised, enhances transparency and enables citizens to closely monitor the performance of their elected representatives, thereby increasing accountability.

Referring to India’s linguistic diversity, the Speaker underlined the importance of the “Sansad Bhashini” initiative, which makes parliamentary debates available in multiple regional languages through AI-enabled translation tools. Citizens across the country can now access and understand parliamentary discussions in their own languages, strengthening trust and participation in the democratic process.

The Speaker highlighted that discussions at international parliamentary forums, including global engagements among presiding officers, have underscored the importance of aligning democratic institutions with modern technology. In this context, he noted that India’s innovations in leveraging AI to improve legislative efficiency have been widely recognised as a global model.

He added that AI tools and modern data systems are also helping Members of Parliament better understand the needs and aspirations of their constituencies, thereby enabling more informed and citizen-focused policymaking.
Birla stated that India’s AI strategy is guided by the principle of inclusive development, and the use of AI in sectors such as education, healthcare and agriculture will accelerate the country’s journey towards the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.” By enhancing access to quality education, improving healthcare delivery systems and empowering farmers with data-driven solutions, AI can transform the lives of millions, particularly those in underserved and unorganised sectors.

Birla further stated that India’s digital infrastructure has become a global exemplar. With its scale, inclusivity and efficiency, India’s digital public infrastructure is being studied and appreciated globally. He reiterated that India is committed to sharing its digital experiences and technological expertise with the international community for collective progress.

While advocating the adoption of AI, Birla cautioned that technology cannot replace human sensitivity and ethical judgment. “AI is a means, not an end,” he remarked, emphasising that human values, democratic principles and ethical standards must remain paramount in the development and deployment of emerging technologies. He called for nurturing a generation of youth equipped not only with technological expertise but also with compassion and a strong moral foundation.

He expressed confidence that deliberations at the “AI for Democracy” session would contribute meaningfully to shaping a future in which technology and democratic values advance together. He also hoped that the harmonious integration of innovation and civilizational ethos would pave the way for a strong, inclusive and developed India by 2047.

Several dignitaries, including Minister for AI & Online Safety, UK; Deputy Speaker, Parliament of Hungary and Secretary-General, IPU, also addressed the participants. The programme was jointly organised by Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. (With Inputs from ANI)