MPs from around the world have expressed deep concern about the unchecked evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and the absence of adequate safeguards to prevent irresponsible and potentially dangerous use of the rapidly evolving technology.

Some 200 MPs, parliamentary staff and experts convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 28-30 November 2025 for the international conference The Role of Parliament in Shaping the Future of Responsible AI, co-organised by the CPA, the Parliament of Malaysia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

In their declaration, the MPs called for international cooperation to establish global redlines for the responsible use of AI in the ‘common interest of humanity’ rather than allow power to be left solely in the hands of technology actors.

The legislators warned that without oversight, rapid AI advances could erode public trust in elections and institutions, drive massive worker displacement, amplify existing discrimination against women, accelerate the climate emergency by vastly augmenting energy demands and widen the digital divide within and between nations.

Parliamentary solutions

The conference highlighted the many AI initiatives already taking place in parliaments including legislative reviews, reports, resolutions, inquiries, working groups and policy discussions.

Sessions also focused on building national capacity in AI, fostering international cooperation on AI regulation and how AI might affect law-making and oversight.

The final declaration makes several recommendations including the following. Parliaments are urged to:

• assess their AI-readiness and develop a strategy;
• set common rules and regulatory frameworks especially to counter misinformation and AI-generated simulations in political life;
• support public education campaigns to improve AI literacy;
• review existing laws on data protection, privacy and cybersecurity to identify where they need to be strengthened; and
• investigate risks of gender-bias or other forms of bias in AI development.

During the Conference, Parliamentarians and representatives of the IPU, CPA and UNDP highlighted the need for action on facilitating responsible use of AI by Parliamentarians.

Edward Vrkic, UNDP's Resident Representative to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam said:

UNDP is investing in equipping Parliaments with knowledge and skills to enhance their role in guiding and governing digital and AI transformation, to strengthen digital and AI governance, ensuring it is inclusive, transparent, accountable, and grounded in
sustainable human development and human rights. 

We hope our partnership with the Parliament of Malaysia, IPU, and CPA, in this Conference, will raise awareness about the latest developments in AI and its impact on societies, and identify ways that we can work together to create legislative environments and policies that foster development results for all.

At the Conference Opening Ceremony, CPA Chairperson Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila said:

The collaboration between the CPA, IPU, UNDP and the Parliament of Malaysia reflects a shared commitment to ensure that Artificial Intelligence strengthens democracy rather than undermines it. It is only through such cooperation that Parliaments can collectively shape a global framework for responsible, ethical and inclusive AI governance.

As we begin our discussions over the coming days, I encourage every delegate to engage openly and think boldly. Let us learn from one another’s experiences and harness the diversity of our perspectives to chart a course for the future - one in which Artificial Intelligence empowers, rather than endangers, the principles of parliamentary democracy.

Parliamentary tools

At the Conference, the IPU published a new tool to guide parliaments in their artificial intelligence (AI) development activities. Developed by the IPU’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament, the Maturity Framework for AI in Parliaments offers structured guidance, drawing from the latest research as well as good practices from parliaments around the world.

In 2024 the CPA developed a toolkit with the Organization of American States looking at AI, disinformation and synthetic media in Parliaments, which you can read here.

About the CPA:

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments at national, state, provincial and territorial level working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

About the IPU:

The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 183 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener and more gender-balanced. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.

About UNDP

As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnerships and institutional capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.