Deputy Speaker Bernard Grech participated in the second day of the 19th Conference of Presidents of Parliament of Small European States which was meeting in the Principality of Andorra together with Speakers and Presidents of Parliament from Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Montenegro, and San Marino.

During today's session the Conference focused on the 'Challenges, Risks and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence in Parliamentary Work and the Functioning of Democracy'. In his address, Deputy Speaker Grech reflected on the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in contemporary democratic systems, describing AI as a defining tool of the 21st century, comparable in its transformative impact to the book, encyclopaedia, newspapers, television, and computers in the last 500 years. He highlighted both the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for parliamentary institutions. He emphasised that AI should remain a tool to support, and not replace, human decision-making, stressing the importance of transparency, accuracy, data protection, cybersecurity and democratic oversight.

Deputy Speaker Grech also underlined the need to address the risks of AI-generated misinformation, while investing in the AI literacy and skills of parliamentary staff. He stressed that Parliament must embrace technological innovation responsibly, ensuring that greater efficiency and accessibility are achieved without compromising accountability, fundamental rights or the human element of democratic representation.

The 19th Conference of Presidents of Parliament of Small European States came to an end with the adoption of a Joint Declaration, which reflects the key outcomes of the Conference and reaffirms the shared objectives and commitments of the participating Parliaments. The Conference will be reconvening in 2027 in Monaco.

Photos: HoR

​