Time: 15:00–16:00 CEST (Geneva time)

Digital transformation in parliaments has evolved from the “back-office” into an institution-wide, strategic function. Its impact covers all aspects of parliamentary work, from how parliament engages with the public, to how laws are developed.

With this evolution comes a shift in responsibility for digital transformation. Where it once relied on departmental leadership, and later administration-wide leadership, it has now become a matter for parliament’s political leadership. Data from the upcoming World e-Parliament Report 2026 shows that the political leadership is increasingly engaged and involved in parliament’s digital transformation, and that this engagement makes a difference.

Digital technologies are now so inter-connected with the way parliaments work that political leadership needs to be part of the conversation: What are the risks of new technologies? How do new cybersecurity risks impact parliament? Where are parliamentary apps and data hosted, in which jurisdictions, and what does this mean for a parliament’s business continuity and sovereignty?

This webinar will explore the evolving role of political leadership in the digital transformation of parliaments through a moderated conversation, addressing key questions such as:

• What is the role of political leadership in parliament’s digital transformation?
• What are the key digital transformation issues that require political decisions?
• How should political leadership, members and the parliamentary administration interact in promoting digital transformation?
• Where should political leadership be involved, and where should it not?
• What lessons can be drawn from the experience of parliaments so far?

Language(s): English, French, Spanish, Arabic

The event is part of the Transforming Parliaments webinar series. This webinar is hosted by the IPU’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament. The video recording will be published on the IPU’s Innovation in Parliament playlist on YouTube.

IPU’s work on artificial intelligence: www.ipu.org/AI