ROAD TOWN, Tortola — Two members of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly staff recently participated in a regional workshop examining how artificial intelligence and digital technologies can be used to modernise parliamentary operations.
The Caribbean Regional Workshop, “Applying AI and Digital Solutions to Modernise Parliamentary Practice,” was held September 12–13 at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. The event brought together approximately 30 parliamentary representatives from across the Caribbean, including Clerks, Hansard professionals, information technology specialists, communications personnel and other parliamentary officers.
The Virgin Islands was represented by Theresa Penn, Executive Officer, and Damian McGowan, Hansard Editor.
Participation was sponsored by the House Democracy Partnership of the United States House of Representatives, in collaboration with ParlAmericas and the POPVOX Foundation. The workshop formed part of the Digital Parliaments Project, which supports legislatures in strengthening institutional systems, digitising parliamentary records and responsibly adopting emerging technologies.
Sessions focused on practical applications of artificial intelligence and digital tools in areas including legislative research, records management, administrative efficiency, public access to information and the preservation of parliamentary records.
Participants also examined digitisation standards, institutional AI policies, cybersecurity, data protection, staff training and the importance of human oversight when using AI-generated information.
Ms. Penn described the workshop as “a valuable and informative experience,” saying it provided practical insight into how AI and digital technologies could support parliamentary work.
She highlighted potential applications in records management, research, administrative efficiency and public access to parliamentary information, while stressing the importance of accuracy, confidentiality, cybersecurity and responsible implementation.
“The central message of the workshop was that artificial intelligence should support parliamentary work, not replace the human judgment, accountability and institutional processes that underpin parliamentary democracy,” Ms. Penn said.
She added that the engagement provided an opportunity for the Virgin Islands to exchange experiences with parliamentary colleagues from across the Caribbean and consider approaches that could be adapted to the Territory’s parliamentary context.
Mr. McGowan described the workshop as “an important forum” for examining how AI, digitisation and other emerging technologies can be incorporated responsibly into parliamentary operations.
He pointed to potential applications in digitising, organising, searching and retrieving Bills, Hansards, minutes and other parliamentary records.
“Participation in the workshop supports the House of Assembly’s ongoing efforts to explore opportunities for digital transformation and institutional modernisation,” Mr. McGowan said.
He identified several areas of potential relevance, including the digitisation of parliamentary records, improved legislative research, AI-assisted Hansard transcription subject to human verification, enhanced information management and greater public access to parliamentary resources.
“Through careful planning and responsible implementation, digital solutions can contribute to a more efficient, accessible and modern House of Assembly,” he added.
The House of Assembly said modernisation extends beyond simply acquiring or deploying new technology. It requires strong governance, accurate and accessible data, appropriately trained personnel, cybersecurity measures, data protection and clear safeguards for confidential and sensitive parliamentary information.
The regional engagement comes as legislatures across the Caribbean and elsewhere examine how emerging technologies can improve parliamentary services while maintaining the principles of accuracy, accountability, transparency and human oversight.