Luanda: Angolan National Assembly Speaker Carolina Cerqueira on Tuesday reaffirmed the competence of the Members of the Parliament (MP) for the approval of the regulatory legal framework for the use of information and communication technologies.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the parliamentary leader, speaking in Luanda at the opening of the “Workshop on the Challenges and Opportunities of the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Parliaments,” highlighted that Parliament holds constitutional functions with a significant role in the architecture of the State. Cerqueira emphasized the importance of strengthening digital defense mechanisms to ensure the integrity of the systems and protection of digital heritage.
Cerqueira stated that it is the responsibility of parliaments to ensure that AI serves the common good, justice, social inclusion, and democracy. She urged that AI should be understood, regulated, and aligned with societal values, marking it as a mission for 21st-century parliaments to legislate for both citizens and future algorithms.
She noted that the Digital Parliament is becoming a reality and stressed the need to incorporate AI into parliamentary processes. This incorporation should be based on a vision of institutional modernization, promotion of technical and scientific knowledge, and a dialogue among politics, technology, and society.
Cerqueira encouraged continuous technical and professional development for the National Assembly’s staff, especially in the field of Artificial Intelligence. She mentioned that the new Penal Code, approved three years ago, includes measures against cybercrime, underscoring the necessity to adapt legislation to the evolving information society.
The need to monitor public policies in the information and communication technologies sector was also underlined, with a focus on protecting national interests and ensuring ethical AI use. Cerqueira advocated for technological innovation to be pursued responsibly and sustainably.
The source highlighted the importance of updating the legal framework to ensure personal data protection, digital security, and ethical AI use. Cerqueira remarked that AI’s impact depends on its usage, emphasizing that cyber threats pose real risks to institutional stability, including parliaments.
She expressed concern over the widespread reach of cybercrime affecting all social sectors, including parliaments that have been targeted by cyberattacks. The workshop, organized by the National Assembly, covered topics such as “Contemporary Challenges in Cybersecurity” and “Practical Application of AI in the Parliamentary Context,” with participation from parliamentarians, staff, academics, students, and experts.