Il-Parlament ta’ Malta jikkonċentra aktar fuq it-teknoloġija u l-intelliġenza artifiċjali

It-Tnejn, 18 Mejju 2026

 

 

Malta Parliament strengthens its focus on technology and artificial intelligence

 

Speaker of the House of Representatives Honorable Angelo Farrugia  reflects on the technological changes introduced in Parliament since 2013, from televised sittings and online access to parliamentary work, to the establishment of a standing committee dedicated to information technology and artificial intelligence. He says Parliament must keep pace with digital change while ensuring proper safeguards, accurate data and strong democratic oversight.

From the Palace to a digital Parliament

In a recent interview with SiGMA News, Honorable Angelo Farrugia has said that technology has become an essential part of the work of the Maltese Parliament, recalling the changes introduced since Parliament moved from the Grandmaster’s Palace to the new Parliament building in 2015.

Speaking on the work of Parliament and the establishment of the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Affairs, Mr Farrugia said that when he was elected Speaker in 2013, “there was a complete absence” of technology in the parliamentary setting.

That began to change with the move to the new building.

“When we moved Parliament in 2015, I already made sure that we would have some technology in place,” he said. “On the first sitting, we also televised the sitting.”

Mr Speaker said further steps were taken shortly afterwards to make parliamentary proceedings more accessible to the public, both in Malta and overseas.

“I managed to also have the transmission of the parliamentary sittings free to air for everyone,” he said. “We invested in further technology to have the sittings on demand. You can follow it on the internet and video.”

He added that the institution has continued investing in digital services and technical support, including specialised IT personnel working within Parliament on a regular basis.

According to Mr Speaker, the aim has not only been to improve the workings of the Chamber itself, but also to widen public access to parliamentary committees. He noted that Parliament now has 17 committees, compared with a much smaller number in earlier years, covering a wider range of policy areas, including artificial intelligence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tU9nKIyxiQ&t=4s

A committee for today’s digital reality

The creation of the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Affairs was presented by Mr Speaker as a response to a reality that is already shaping public institutions.

“We have been following a lot the importance of AI,” he said. “AI now is the present. Not the future.”

He explained that the committee was established following a motion presented in Parliament in July of last year, with the support of both Government and Opposition.

“We were one of the first parliaments in Europe, and definitely one of the few parliaments in the whole world to do so,” he said.

Mr Speaker said that Malta has also looked at work being carried out abroad, particularly within the European Union. He referred to the EU’s artificial intelligence legislation, stressing the need for clear rules in the parliamentary context.

“Whatever you have from AI, you have to have some guidelines,” he said. “To make sure that the data that you are talking about is exact, and also particular areas where you can make checks and balances.”

Safeguards, training and the years ahead

Asked whether Members of Parliament are equipped for new digital realities, Mr Speaker said there is growing interest, particularly among younger parliamentarians.

“We have quite a number of young parliamentarians who, as the young generation, like to get involved in a lot of technology,” he said.

He also referred to training and discussions involving parliamentary staff, Members of Parliament, the University of Malta and other entities. These sessions, he said, are intended to ensure that artificial intelligence is used in a way that strengthens parliamentary democracy.

Looking ahead, Mr Speaker said AI will have an important role in Parliament over the coming years, but insisted that safeguards must remain central.

“We have to have the proper guidelines and safeguards to make sure that the data and the information that is being fed by AI is not tainted,” he said.

He added that legislation may be needed to strike the right balance as Parliament adapts to technological change.

“AI is for the present,” Mr Speaker said. “We have to make sure that we adjust ourselves.”