Maltese parliament hosts seminar on practical applications and ethics of AI

Members of Malta’s House of Representatives and parliamentary staff gathered in Parliament on Tuesday 24 February 2026 for a focused session on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in legislative work. Organised under the auspices of the Speaker’s Office and driven by Hon. Ray Abela, Chair of the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Affairs, the workshop offered an accessible introduction to AI tools and their relevance to parliamentary duties.

The event started with a welcome speech by the Speaker Mr Anġlu Farrugia, who expressed appreciation to the committee and university contributors for advancing knowledge of emerging technologies. He reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to innovation as part of ongoing efforts to modernise legislative processes and strengthen democratic governance.

Academics from the Faculty of ICT at the University of Malta, including Faculty of ICT Dean Prof. Ing. Carl Debono, Head of the Department of AI, Prof. Matthew Montebello, who delivered the seminar, and Prof. Joel Azzopardi, assisted in unpacking both current technologies and their potential uses within the parliamentary context. Participants were given a practical overview of existing AI systems and examples of how such tools might support legislative drafting, streamline internal workflows and improve access to parliamentary information.

Speakers highlighted that, beyond efficiency gains, AI could serve as a means to facilitate research and data analysis for lawmakers, provided its application is carefully managed in a legal and ethical way. A strong emphasis of the session was placed on the responsibilities that come with AI adoption and the importance of good practices and a strong AI literacy. Discussions stressed the importance of responsible use, safeguarding personal data, ensuring transparency in automated processes and adhering to ethical principles as Parliament explores greater digital integration.

Following the seminar, representatives from the Faculty of ICT at the University of Malta held a focused meeting with the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Affairs, chaired by Hon. Ray Abela. The discussion moved beyond awareness and into strategy, exploring how Parliament and academia can collaborate to advance nationwide AI literacy.

Deliberations centred on expanding fully online and flexible AI-related programmes, rethinking assessment methodologies in light of generative AI technologies, and developing a coordinated, long-term roadmap to prepare Malta for the next wave of technological transformation. The exchange underscored the importance of policy, education, and industry working in concert to position the country as a forward-looking, AI-ready nation.