On July 23rd, 2025, Bússola Tech hosted a high-level panel discussion titled “Integrating Legacy Systems and New Technologies in Parliaments.” The event convened senior parliamentary officials and technology experts to examine the detailed strategic, technical, and institutional considerations involved in harmonizing existing legacy parliamentary systems with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.

Moderated by Luís Kimaid, Executive Director of Bússola Tech, the panel featured Esteban Sanches, Head of IT System Development at Cámara de Diputadas y Diputados of Chile, Jonathan Ruckert, CEO of NovaWorks Australia, and Ludovic Delepiné, Head of IT Governance and Enterprise Architecture Unit at the European Parliament.

The session opened with comprehensive presentations by each speaker, detailing specific institutional experiences, challenges, and strategic approaches. Esteban Sanches highlighted phased integration processes used within the Chilean Cámara de Diputadas y Diputados, underscoring methods such as incremental user-interface updates and hybrid cloud solutions. He emphasized the significance of structured data migration and rigorous data cleaning to preserve information integrity when modernizing legacy systems.

Jonathan Ruckert contributed insights on innovative architectural strategies deployed by NovaWorks Australia, focusing on modular system architectures that allow gradual adoption of new technologies without disrupting ongoing parliamentary operations. He illustrated the importance of leveraging API-driven platforms to ensure compatibility between legacy systems and modern technological implementations.

Ludovic Delepiné shared the experience of the European Parliament in managing intricate integrations between multiple legacy systems and new technology frameworks. He discussed advanced data interoperability standards and underscored the criticality of comprehensive governance models to manage technological evolution within complex institutional structures.

The dialogue was further enriched through a structured discussion around critical topics. Speakers explored standards and best practices for ensuring seamless data interoperability between legacy systems and AI-driven solutions. They also debated architectural approaches for modularizing legacy systems, highlighting strategies to maintain interoperability and compatibility across diverse technological platforms. Additionally, the conversation addressed the decision-making processes used by parliaments to identify when legacy systems have reached a tipping point of unsustainability, particularly when considering the efficiency and strategic benefits of adopting cutting-edge technologies like AI.

Concluding the session, each participant delivered closing reflections emphasizing the essential role of robust data governance, proactive cross-functional collaboration, and strategic alignment between technical innovation and institutional objectives. The discussion underscored the critical importance of meticulous preparation, foresight, and adaptability for parliamentary institutions navigating the digital transformation era.

Overall, the panel effectively highlighted the complexity and significance of integrating legacy systems with advanced technologies, providing practical insights and actionable strategies for parliamentary institutions aiming for sustainable digital modernization.