On November 30th, 2023, Bússola Tech convened an important debate titled "How Diversity in AI Development Can Shape More Inclusive Parliamentary Technologies." The discussion highlighted the role of diversity in AI development, particularly focusing on parliamentary technologies.

The discussion was moderated by Mr. Luís Kimaid of Bússola Tech and featured insightful contributions from distinguished participants such as Ms. Jessica Cobert Smith from the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Jurgens Piterse and Mr. Apfeswaho Ramulondi from the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Ari Hershowitz from GovAble.ai, and Ms. Natalí Casanova-Burkholder from ParlAmericas. These participants offered diverse perspectives, enriching the dialogue.

The conversation commenced with an emphasis on understanding how diversity in AI development can enhance transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness in parliamentary operations. This segment of the session explored the implications of such technologies on democratic engagement and public trust.

Further, the participants discussed the importance of including diverse viewpoints in the development of AI for parliamentary use. They examined how this inclusivity could better reflect and serve the needs of various societies, identifying the challenges and opportunities within this scope.

The dialogue then transitioned to evaluating the impact of diverse AI development teams on the functionality and fairness of parliamentary technologies. This discussion was crucial in highlighting the need for equitable and efficient AI systems within legislative contexts.

Additionally, the panel addressed potential biases in existing AI technologies used in parliamentary operations. They explored proactive strategies to identify and mitigate these biases, ensuring the development of unbiased, inclusive technologies.

The session concluded with each participant underscoring the importance of continued innovation, collaboration, and learning in navigating the integration of AI in the legislative process. The discussion highlighted how the strategic implementation of technology, informed by diverse perspectives, could revolutionise parliamentary functions, thereby enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.