National Council calls for global accountability and AI regulation

National Council chairperson Lukas Muha says artificial intelligence (AI) must be regulated in a way that protects democracy and serves the public good.

He said this during a workshop titled ‘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.

Muha said AI is 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.

The chairperson described the CSPOC engagement as part of a broader strategic dialogue on regulating AI, 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 National Assembly speaker Phillipus Katamelo stressed the need for accountability in the use of AI.

“Where there is power, there must also be accountability. You cannot allow systems to exercise power without putting safeguards in place,” he said.

Katamelo said while parliaments are developing national laws on AI, technology is global in nature and cannot be regulated effectively 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.

As part of the programme, the Namibian delegation participated in the traditional welcoming ceremony for members of the CSPOC standing committee at Naubat Khana (Red Fort) in Delhi, and observed a live performance reflecting Indian history.

The delegation also took part in a meeting of the CSPOC standing committee, during which Muha called on the CSPOC to consider inviting the chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as a permanent member of the standing committee, in recognition of the role played by the CPA within the Commonwealth parliamentary system.

The conference was officially opened by the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi.

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