Bússola Tech, in collaboration with the Organization of American States (OAS), hosted the "LegisTech: Artificial Intelligence in Parliaments – 3rd Edition" conference on October 10th and 11th, 2024. Held at the OAS Headquarters in Washington, DC, as well as at the U.S. House of Representatives, the event convened parliamentary leaders, experts, and international delegations to discuss the modernization of legislative institutions through artificial intelligence.

The conference focused on the theme of AI’s transformative role in legislative functions, highlighting its potential to enhance efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement. Through presentations and panel discussions, the event addressed key opportunities and challenges, including generative AI, cybersecurity considerations, long-term financial planning, and strategies for fostering user satisfaction within parliaments.

The opening session featured a range of speakers, including Francisco Guerrero, representing the Organization of American States; Luís Kimaid, Executive Director of Bússola Tech; Derek Luyten, Executive Director of the House Democracy Partnership from the U.S. House of Representatives; and Kerry Ann Barrett, Chief of the Cybersecurity Section at the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE/OAS). Their remarks underscored the importance of guiding the legislative branch to proactively harness AI for more inclusive and effective governance.

Further presentations included contributions from Federico Fernandez, from the Senate of Argentina; André Freire da Silva, Coordinator for the Committees at the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil; João Lima, Legislative IT Analyst at the Brazilian Federal Senate; Luiz Fernando Bandeira de Mello, Counselor at the Brazilian National Council of Justice; Jonas Gomes, representative of the Câmara Municipal de São Paulo in Brazil; Juan Pablo Galleguillos, Secretary for Committees from the Cámara de Diputadas y Diputados of Chile; Raúl Guzmán Uribe, Secretary General of the Senado de la República of Chile; Fotis Fitsilis, Head of Documentation from the Hellenic Parliament (Greece); Ciarán Doyle, CIO from the Oireachtas of Ireland; Alisha Todd, Director General of ParlAmericas; Javier de Andrés Blasco, CIO from the Congreso de los Diputados of Spain; Ruth de Windt, Secretary-General from the Nationale Assemblee of Suriname; Kevin McCumber, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives; William Clark, Programme Officer representing the National Conference of State Legislatures; Ludovic Delepine, Head of Archives at the European Parliament; and Monica Palmirani, Professor at the University of Bologna. Each delegate showcased how AI-driven tools and frameworks are reshaping legislative workflows in their respective institutions.

Panel discussions offered further insights into AI’s application in legislative contexts. Topics included leveraging AI for cybersecurity and ethical guardrails, moderated by Kerry Ann Barrett (OAS), featuring Widjai Jaisri (Nationale Assemblee of Suriname), José Andrés Jiménez Martín (Congreso de los Diputados of Spain), André Freire da Silva (Chamber of Deputies of Brazil), and Addie Adeniji (U.S. House of Representatives). Another panel examined user satisfaction in parliaments, with Kristen Sample (NDI) moderating speakers Ciarán Doyle (Oireachtas of Ireland), Stephen Dwyer (U.S. House of Representatives), and Monica Palmirani (University of Bologna).

The conference also included a presentation on two publications by Bússola Tech and the OAS, titled “Artificial Intelligence in Legislative Services: Principles for Effective Implementation” and “Key Considerations of Artificial Intelligence in Parliaments.” Luís Kimaid, Moises Benamor (OAS), Stephen Twigg (CPA, online), and Fotis Fitsilis (Hellenic Parliament) introduced these works, highlighting frameworks designed to promote the responsible adoption of AI in Parliaments.

The final panels of the first day explored into critical aspects of AI-driven legislative transformation. One discussion, moderated by Luís Kimaid (Bússola Tech), focused on digital agendas and AI in parliaments, and featured Raúl Guzmán Uribe (Senado de la República of Chile), Federico Fernandez (Senate of Argentina), Javier de Andrés Blasco (Congreso de los Diputados of Spain), and Brahma Mishra (MeetMonk).

Starting the second day of discussions, at the U.S. House of Representatives, the session emphasized generative AI in legislative processes, moderated by Luís Kimaid (Bússola Tech), and included Juan Pablo Galleguillos (Cámara de Diputadas y Diputados of Chile), Jason Smith (U.S. House of Representatives), Luiz Fernando Bandeira de Mello (Conselho Nacional de Justiça of Brazil), and Grant Vergottini (Xcential Legislative Technologies).

Following the first panel discussion, an official picture was taken at the Rayburn Room in the U.S. House of Representatives, followed by an official visit to the House Floor.

Following it, the next session welcome Moises Benamor (OAS) as the moderator, in the topic about the long-term financial planning for emerging technologies, with Jonas Gomes (Câmara Municipal de São Paulo), Fotis Fitsilis (Hellenic Parliament), Santiago Paz (Inter-American Development Bank), and Catherine Szpindor (U.S. House of Representatives).

Another key session examined AI-powered legislative drafting services, moderated by Fotis Fitsilis (Hellenic Parliament), featuring João Lima (Brazilian Federal Senate), Kirsten Gullickson (U.S. House of Representatives), and Alexandre Bess (LegalBot). The event’s final panel, “The Future of Parliamentary Democracy and New Technologies in Parliaments,” was also moderated by Luís Kimaid (Bússola Tech) and included Moises Benamor (OAS), Wade Ballou (U.S. House of Representatives), and Ludovic Delepine (European Parliament).

The conference concluded with impactful discussions and the exchange of innovative ideas. By highlighting diverse best practices and encouraging cross-border collaboration, “LegisTech: Artificial Intelligence in Parliaments – 3rd Edition” reinforced the pivotal role of AI in shaping more transparent, efficient, and citizen-oriented legislatures around the globe.